PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects Ben Roethlisberger back under center Sunday against Cincinnati.

Roethlisberger isn’t so sure just yet.

The two-time Super Bowl winner is playing it safe in his return after missing four games with a sprained knee and a bruised leg, saying Wednesday he’s `’not going to get his hopes up” about playing Sunday.

Roethlisberger plans to be in the lineup against the undefeated Bengals in a key AFC North showdown, and he practiced in full Wednesday. But he’s also exercising caution after experiencing some discomfort in his knee following a practice late last week.

“I think it was more just a pain and inflammation setback,” Roethlisberger said. “I don’t think it was an injury-type of a setback. I just put an extra, heavy load on it and paid for it that night with achiness and inflammation.”

That’s fine by Roethlisberger, who practiced in a limited capacity for three days last week and was listed as questionable leading into the game at Kansas City. He plans to wear a brace on the injured left knee for the first time in his career Sunday. Roethlisberger has adjusted to the feel by wearing the brace to work out, but he doesn’t anticipate any in-game mobility limitations because of the injury.

“I think if there’s a restriction, I shouldn’t be out there,” Roethlisberger said. “You can’t afford to go out there if you’re restricted in any way. “