Dolphins rookie backup QB Pat White, playing in place of injured starter Chad Henne, was seriously injured late during the third quarter against the Steelers and carted off the field.

Maybe the stars are aligning over Pittsburgh. The Steelers still have a chance to make the playoffs, and star safety Troy Polamalu appears to be making some progress in his return from a knee injury.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu told reporters in Pittsburgh that he will not try to practice Wednesday and isn’t sure if he can play this weekend against the Ravens.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week WR Hines Ward was “very questionable” for the upcoming game against the Browns, and on Tuesday the team’s leading receiver was held out of practice.

All the latest signs are pointing toward Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger returning from post-concussion symptoms and playing in Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered a concussion Sunday in Kansas City but was symptom free and able to practice all week, may opt to sit out Sunday night’s game against the Ravens, according to a league source. Roethlisberger was officially listed as questionable and widely expected to play, but informed coach Mike Tomlin today that he might sit out the game as a precaution, according to the source.

The Steelers confirmed that backup QB Charlie Batch hurt his wrist during Sunday’s overtime loss to the Chiefs, but the team will not comment on the severity of the injury until coach Mike Tomlin speaks Tuesday, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports.

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.”