The bad news was that both starting offensive tackles were out.
Marvel Smith and Max Starks both sat out practice Wednesday, leaving
the team with rookie Trai Essex and journeyman Barrett Brooks as the
only two healthy tackles on the active roster.
"It was just a precautionary thing," said Starks, in his first season
as the Steelers starting right tackle. "I bruised my knee against
Baltimore and we just wanted to give it an extra day of rest."
Smith, however, sat out Sunday's 16-13 loss at Baltimore, though he
wasn't pleased about it.
"I would have been out there had it been my choice," said Smith, a Pro
Bowl left tackle, on sitting out against Baltimore. "I plan on being
out there Monday night."
That would be good news for the Steelers, who will put a premium on
replacing Roethlisberger in his first start back after missing three
games with a knee injury.
Center Jeff Hartings also took the day off for an extra rest period,
while linebacker Andre Frazier (hamstring) and backup quarterback
Charlie Batch (hand) were the only other two Steelers to sit out.
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