Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs each have knee injuries. Neither have been expected to play on Sunday night, when their two teams face each other in Baltimore.
Officially, Polamalu is out due to his PCL sprain. Suggs, however, is doubtful. Ordinarily, “doubtful” is only a short stone’s throw from “out,” but Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was listed as doubtful for Thursday’s NFC North battle against the Packers, and Stafford started and finished the game.
Also for the Steelers, quarterback Charlie Batch (wrist) is out and guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee) is out. Defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) is questionable, as is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is officially listed as having a “head” injury, even though anyone with a brain in their “head” knows that Big Ben suffered a concussion against the Chiefs.
Roethlisberger practiced all week and reportedly is expected to play. A report surfaced on Friday that he might actually miss the game.
Finally, running back Willie Parker is probable with a hip injury, which probably doesn’t matter because Parker has disappeared faster than the last piece of pumpkin pie at Casey Hampton’s house.
For the Ravens, linebacker Ray Lewis (foot) and safety Ed Reed (illness, foot) are questionable. Center Matt Birk (neck), tight end Todd Heap (chest), linebacker Jarret Johnson (shoulder), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (ankle), and tight end L.J. Smith (illness) are probable.
It’s arguably an elimination game -- the Steelers are 6-4 and the Ravens are 5-5. Both trail the Bengals, who swept the two AFC finalists from a year ago.