Troy Polamalu’s latest knee injury doesn’t appear as significant as his last, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday the Pro Bowl safety is “questionable at best” for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

As reported earlier by NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, former Chiefs RB Larry Johnson cleared waivers Tuesday and is now officially a free agent. And, of course, teams are already being discussed as having interest in his services.

Steelers starting free safety Ryan Clark is highly unlikely to play Monday night in Denver, according to league sources, because of a rare sickle-cell trait that can trigger life-threatening complications at altitude.

After leading the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl championship in February, the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that, despite questions regarding his age and experience, Mike Tomlin has proven he was the right man for the job all along.

The Steelers entered the season in search of a new identity. After Sunday’s 27-14 victory over the Browns — the Steelers’ 12th in a row over their AFC North rivals — the path has been clearly defined.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today that RB Willie Parker and SS Troy Polamalu would return to practice without limitations Wednesday as they make their way back from injuries.

The plan in Pittsburgh is for safety Troy Polamalu to return to practice on a limited basis this week as he recovers from a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Polamalu did take part in a limited portion of practice Wednesday, but his return to game action might be further off.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Troy Polamalu had a sprained medial collateral ligament, but just how severe the injury is would be “speculation.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will use Willie Parker as his featured back this season, but his recent proneness to injuries still makes Fast Willie a risk-reward fantasy option.

The Steelers say they’re down to the 53-player roster limit, but they won’t say who they cut until Saturday. The reason? Coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t want other teams to have a competitive advantage by knowing who is available before they make their cuts.

America’s Game: 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers debuts Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. ET on NFL Network. This episode includes exclusive video and sound of the Steelers during team meetings, practices, road trips and inside the locker room leading up to Super Bowl XLIII.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger met with reporters Wednesday for the first time since his injury scare last week, saying that although he’s not 100 percent, he’s improving.

Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice today, but he was limited, NFL Network’s Scott Hanson reports, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said his quarterback will play in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Bills.

It looks as though the Steelers narrowly avoided a major injury during their final practice of training camp when QB Ben Roethlisberger injured his right foot or ankle.

The Steelers return 20 of 22 starters, which makes them strong contenders to repeat as Super Bowl champions. They still have Dick LeBeau running the defense, and his players call him “The Wizard,” which reflects the schemes and creativity he brings. The offense still has Ben Roethlisberger under center and returns RB Rashard Mendenhall after a season-ending shoulder injury last year.