PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger cast a wary eye upon the dozens of reporters who showed up for his first pregame practice in nine months and questioned aloud, "I thought we'd gotten this out of the way, but obviously not."

No, not yet. Not even close. There's still a step left in what might be termed the rehabilitation of Ben Roethlisberger, the football player.

He still hasn't taken a snap in a game that counts, still hasn't thrown a meaningful pass, still hasn't proven he's the player he was before his aberrant behavior led the NFL — at his own team's urging — to suspend him for six games, later shortened to four.

Roethlisberger's self-described "anxious, nervous" months of waiting end Sunday, when the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback plays a regular-season game for the first time since Jan. 3. The Cleveland Browns (1-4), who sacked Roethlisberger eight times during a 13-6 upset victory in December that ultimately scuttled Pittsburgh's playoff chances, will be on the opposing sideline, eager to mar the two-time Super Bowl winner's return to the NFL.

But teammates say a player who once seemed intent on living up to his "Big Ben" persona is no longer aloof or condescending to some of them. He's been more outgoing and patient with Steelers supporters, especially during a training camp in which fans who once talked of rejecting him chose to embrace him. He also appears to be more accepting of a balanced offense, rather than one that allows him to throw 35 times a game.

"The guys on the team opened their arms and welcomed him back," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "We missed him."

Allegations that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted a Georgia college student in March did not result in criminal charges against him, and he has proclaimed his innocence. But there is no question his widely portrayed image of a bar-hopping, immature, pampered, indulgent athlete with a sense of entitlement hurt him and the image-conscious organization he plays for. The job of repairing it is not yet completed.

At times when things happen in your life it causes you to reassess your approach. I think that's what he's going through," coach Mike Tomlin said.

"Second chances are an awesome thing and that's all I've asked for," he said. "I want to be a Steeler for life. I love playing for this city and these fans. It's something that's very important to me. I know a lot of people say 'I don't really care about the fans and what people say about me.' Well, I do. I want people to accept me and to embrace me as their quarterback and as a Steeler."

Roethlisberger insists he's not intent upon quickly reshaping an offense that was decidedly unbalanced without him. The Steelers are eighth in rushing but a dead-last 32nd in passing after starting No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon and No. 4 Charlie Batch during his absence.

"The key for me is not try to force anything, and not go out and try to be Superman," Roethlisberger said. "Just go out and play my game."

Roethlisberger's first game back will be Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy's first game, period. With Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme injured, the Browns have little choice but to start a third-round draft pick from Texas who wasn't supposed to get on the field this season.