PITTSBURGH — A sprained left ankle won’t keep Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out of Sunday’s AFC wild-card game in Denver, but one could sideline starting center Maurkice Pouncey.
Pouncey was listed as questionable on the Steelers’ injury report and was unlikely to play after missing practice Thursday and Friday because of increased soreness in his left ankle. The Pro Bowl center played in the regular- season finale against the Browns last weekend after missing two games but complained of problems with the ankle following Wednesday’s practice.
Doug Legursky likely will start in Pouncey’s place as he did in last year’s Super Bowl when Pouncey was sidelined with an injury to the same ankle. Legursky, who missed last week’s game at Cleveland with a left shoulder injury, practiced at center this week in Pouncey’s place and started at center against the 49ers and Rams when Pouncey couldn’t play.
Legursky has started three games this year at right guard, five at left guard and two at center.
“It’s no different for me,” he said. “I practice each week as if I’ll play multiple positions anyway, so it’s not a problem.”
Roethlisberger practiced Friday and was listed as probable despite a high ankle sprain that’s bothered him for the last month. He originally hurt the ankle Dec. 8 in a win over Cleveland then missed a start against St. Louis on Christmas Eve. He started against the Browns last Sunday and acknowledged the ankle suffered a “setback” sometime in the second half.
The two-time Super Bowl winner was limited in practice Wednesday but was full-go Thursday and Friday.
