For the third consecutive game, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their star quarterback. At least it appears as if they'll have the quarterback of their defense and the reigning team MVP back on the field.
Ben Roethlisberger will not play Sunday in Baltimore, meaning Charlie Batch will make his second consecutive start at quarterback for the Steelers (6-5), who have lost each of the first two games Roethlisberger missed.
Roethlisberger will miss a third consecutive game since suffering a sprained right shoulder and a dislocated rib in a 16-13 win against Kansas City on Nov. 12.
Unlike a defeat at home two weeks ago to the rival Ravens (9-2) and an upset loss this past Sunday in Cleveland, however, the Steelers likely will have safety Troy Polamalu and receiver Antonio Brown in uniform and active.
Polamalu and Brown both practiced fully all week and are listed as probable.
Brown was knocked out of a 24-20 win over the New York Giants on Nov. 5 due to an ankle injury. Polamalu, a five-time All Pro, has not played a full game since the opener because of a right calf injury.
Around the league
Eagles • Philadelphia will again be without quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy due to concussions when the Eagles play at Dallas on Sunday night. Vick is missing his third straight game and McCoy his second in a row.
Vikings • Receiver Percy Harvin, who has missed Minnesota's two previous games, has been listed as doubtful to play at Green Bay because of a sprained left ankle.
Niners • Defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana after he crashed into a chain-link fence, the California Highway Patrol said. The 49ers said Dobbs wouldn't travel with the team for Sunday's game at St. Louis.
Raiders • Oakland suspended linebacker Rolando McClain for two games for conduct detrimental to the team after sending him home from practice earlier in the week .
Week 13 schedule
Thursday
• Atlanta 23, New Orleans 13
Sunday
• Seattle at Chicago, 11 a.m.
• Minnesota at Green Bay, 11 a.m.
• San Francisco at St. Louis, 11 a.m.
• Carolina at Kansas City, 11 a.m.
• Houston at Tennessee, 11 a.m.
• Arizona at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m.
• Indianapolis at Detroit, 11 a.m.
• Jacksonville at Buffalo, 11 a.m.
• New England at Miami, 11 a.m., Ch. 2
• Tampa Bay at Denver, 2:05 p.m., Ch. 13
• Cleveland at Oakland, 2:25 p.m.
• Cincinnati at San Diego, 2:25 p.m.
• Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2
• Philadelphia at Dallas, 6:20 p.m., Ch. 5
Monday
• N.Y. Giants at Washington, 6:30 p.m., ESPN