PITTSBURGH - Ben Roethlisberger isn't the Pittsburgh Steelers' only injury worry with Sunday's game against Jacksonville approaching. Wide receiver Hines Ward missed practice for a second straight day Thursday with a nagging hamstring injury.

If Roethlisberger and Ward can't practice today - and neither player has been on the field since Monday night's 24-22 victory in San Diego - it seems unlikely they will play. Most weeks, the Steelers require a player to practice at least once before a game to play, though coach Bill Cowher said he does not a blanket policy.

"It's case by case," Cowher said Thursday. "Obviously, if you have somebody who hasn't practiced all week, you have to take that into account. We are just going to look at all the circumstances and go from there."

Roethlisberger, whose left knee became hyperextended during the Steelers' game-winning final drive Monday, did some light jogging and throwing but did not practice. Still, that was an improvement from Wednesday, when he was on crutches for most of the day.

Roethlisberger remains doubtful, meaning there is only a 25 percent chance that he will be play, while Ward is questionable. Ward also was questionable leading into Monday's game, but played and made six catches for 83 yards.

But the short work week between games isn't helping Ward and, Cowher said, "It becomes a concern" when a player can't practice.

Cowher did get favorable injury news: Roethlisberger's backup, Tommy Maddox (calf), was upgraded from questionable to probable. That means he could start ahead of No. 3 quarterback Charlie Batch, who hasn't started a game in four years, if Roethlisberger can't go.

Regardless of what happens in practice Friday, Cowher probably won't designate a starting quarterback until game time Sunday, if only to force the Jaguars to prepare for one of three possible starters.

By The Associated Press