The Steelers' standing in the AFC North Division is about to be dramatically altered one way or the other.
After taking on the Browns this Sunday in Cleveland the Steelers will travel to Baltimore for a Thanksgiving night rematch with the Ravens, not that tight end Heath Miller is looking that far ahead.
"We're just focused on the first one," Miller maintained. "We know the situation we're in. Every game's important, especially division games. I don't think there's a division team that has won on the road this year in the AFC North. We're going to try to be the first this weekend."
The Steelers (4-6 overall) are 1-1 in the division, having beaten the Ravens at home and having lost to the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Bengals (7-4) are 2-2 in the AFC North, having beaten the Steelers and Browns at home and having lost at Cleveland and at Baltimore.
The Browns (4-6) have home wins over Cincinnati and Baltimore and road losses in both places. The Ravens (4-6) have beaten the Browns and Bengals at home and have been beaten by the Steelers and Browns on the road.
That makes home teams in division games a perfect 7-for-7.
The picture grew a little clearer today as to what the Steelers might have available for the first of their four remaining AFC North encounters.
Left guard Ramon Foster (ankle) was a full participant in practice for the second consecutive day. Foster had been replaced by Guy Whimper for last Sunday's 37-27 victory over Detroit.
"It's been a good week of preparation," Foster said. "I just have to continue to rehab and go from there."
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (foot) was a full participant for the third consecutive day. Sanders had been injured during the Lions game.
Defensive end Brett Keisel (foot) was limited in practice after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Keisel didn't play against Detroit (Ziggy Hood started).
"It felt good to get back out there with the team and get a little bit of work in," Keisel said. "There was no step backwards. We'll work toward Sunday. I'm optimistic. I feel like it's getting better every day. We just want to continue to get better. That's the main thing, not to take any steps backwards."
Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf) also was limited after not having practiced on Thursday. Woodley had been limited on Wednesday. Outside linebacker had been handled by Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones in Woodley's absence.
"I'll be there Sunday," Woodley said. "We'll see Sunday."
Sunday looms as a big game for the Steelers no matter who's available.
"The bottom line is nobody in the North has a road win this year," Keisel said. "We're looking to be the first to do that."
STATUS REPORT
OUT: LB Stevenson Sylvster (hamstring), S Shamarko Thomas (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: DE Brett Keisel (foot), OLB LaMarr Woodley (calf)
PROBABLE: T Kelvin Beachum (hip), G Ramon Foster (ankle), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot), C Fernando Velasco (knee)
