This just in: Ben Roethlisberger practiced yesterday with the Steelers.

Film at 11.

Yawn.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Receiver Hines Ward is the latest Steeler to get some TV time, appearing on "Wheel of Fortune." Click photo for larger image.

One day after he missed his first practice as the starting quarterback -- and, apparently, sent at least one Pittsburgh TV station into red alert -- Roethlisberger was back on the field at the Steelers' South Side practice facility, moving and throwing as good as ever.

"I feel pretty good," Roethlisberger said.

Asked if there should be any cause for alarm about his injury, he said, "No, I'll be fine."

Roethlisberger was added to the injury report Wednesday and missed his first practice since the second week of the season. He has a bruised thigh, but Roethlisberger said it was "something like" a charley horse. He is listed as probable for the game Sunday against the New York Jets.

When he didn't practice, WTAE-TV led its Wednesday evening newscast with a report on Roethlisberger's injury. Roethlisberger was surprised by such attention.

"We tried to hide and wear the jersey out there and the helmet so you guys wouldn't notice," Roethlisberger said, smiling. "But I should have known you can't get anything by you guys."

Roethlisberger said his leg felt "a little stiff, a little tight" during practice, which was outside in a light rain. But it didn't stop him by going through his usual practice routine.

"I wanted to get out there and get a feel for it, even if it hurt a little bit," said Roethlisberger, who was named rookie of the week for the eighth time in a vote by fans on NFL.com.

"I knew I wasn't going to hurt myself any worse. I just wanted to get out there and get a feel with the guys and get on the same page and get the game plan working again."

"He has a little soreness -- everybody does -- especially taking the hits he's been taking running the ball," said offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. "But he did fine."

Roethlisberger, though, will be without WR Plaxico Burress for the third game in a row. Burress (hamstring) was downgraded on the injury report yesterday and will not play Sunday against the Jets.

Another TV star

First, it was Roethlisberger appearing on the "Late Show with David Letterman." Now it's three-time Pro Bowl WR Hines Ward appearing on "Wheel of Fortune."

Ward was in Hollywood, Calif., Tuesday -- the team's off day -- to tape a segment of the popular game show along with approximately 20 other NFL players. The show will not air until the week of Jan. 3-7, 2005, so Ward could not reveal the results.

"I can't really tell you what happened, but I did all right," he said

Ward took part in the show with San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, St. Louis wide receiver Torry Holt and Arizona rookie wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of Pitt, among others. Each player selected a charity to receive any prize money.

"I had a blast," Ward said.

A marked man

Outside linebacker Joey Porter said he didn't deserve the 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty he received in Jacksonville and thinks he has become a "target" for NFL officials.

Porter was penalized when safety Troy Polamalu and Jaguars running back Fred Taylor became entangled and exchanged shoves after a third-down play in the second quarter. The penalty gave the Jaguars a first down and allowed them to attempt a 32-yard field goal, which Josh Scobee missed.

"I was shocked. It wasn't even my play," Porter said. "I didn't have anything to do with it. It probably goes back to when the fight happened, and [the officials] feel somehow they got to 'get him back' for that play."

Porter was referring to the pregame altercation Nov. 21 in Cleveland when he and Browns running back William Green were ejected for fighting before the game.

"That happened a few weeks ago, but the refs probably caught a bigger deal out of it for letting that happen," Porter said. "So they feel, 'Well, [No.] 55 is around, then he has involvement. If 55 is anywhere around the pile while it's going on, we're going to flag him.'

"I think that was one of those situations that happened. Luckily, we got out of there without anything happening to the defense with them scoring on us and missing the field goal. I can rest a little better after that."

Injury updates

Running back Duce Staley returned to practice, one day after being excused to visit his father, Lanny, who is ill, in Columbia, S.C. Inside linebacker James Farrior (shoulder/probable), outside linebacker Clark Haggans (groin/probable), center Jeff Hartings (back/probable) and wide receiver Sean Morey (quadriceps/probable) also returned. Defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee/questionable) and running back Verron Haynes (knee/questionable) did not practice for the second day in a row. Nickel back/kick-returner Ricardo Colclough (hip flexor/probable) was added to the injury report.

Practice squad move

The Steelers signed C Lenny Vandermade -- one of Polamalu's roommates at Southern California -- to the practice squad after offensive tackle Bo Lacy was claimed by the Chicago Bears. Vandermade was on Baltimore's practice squad earlier this season.