PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey have a "shot" to play in the regular-season finale against Cleveland.
Both players sat out last Saturday's 27-0 victory over St. Louis with high ankle sprains. Veteran Charlie Batch passed for 208 yards in place of Roethlisberger, while a series of injuries forced Trai Essex to take snaps at center for the first time.
Tomlin praised the play of the backups but wouldn't rule out Roethlisberger or Pouncey against the struggling Browns (4-11).
Pittsburgh (11-4) can win the AFC North with a win and a loss by Baltimore. The Steelers can win the North and be the top seed in the AFC if they beat the Browns combined with losses by the Ravens and Patriots.