Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette Hines ward hauls in a Charlie Batch pass to become the Steelers' all-time receptions leader. Click photo for larger image.

Hines Ward became the Steelers' all-time receptions leader when he caught his third pass of the game last night at Heinz Field.

Ward passed Hall of Famer John Stallworth when he caught his 538th career pass. It was a 15-yard reception to Cleveland's 26 and came with 3:31 left in the second quarter.

On the ground, Ward gave a small but triumphant signal with his arms, got up with the football and tossed it to the sideline. He also extended his team record by catching a pass in his 112th consecutive game.

Ward finished with eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, a 51-yard grab on a pass thrown by Antwaan Randle El, in the Steelers' 34-21 victory against the Browns.

Big Ben watches

Ben Roethlisberger, wearing a pair of baggy jeans, a sweatshirt and a ski cap, passed the ball in pregame drills last night.

He did not dress for the game. The question now becomes, will he dress Sunday in Baltimore?

Roethlisberger has missed three games this season, the past two after he had surgery Nov. 3 to remove part of a torn meniscus in his right knee after he was injured Oct. 31 against the Ravens.

The Steelers have a Monday night showdown against the unbeaten Colts Nov. 28 in Indianapolis. Roethlisberger has been the NFL's leader in passer ratings most of the season. He has a 112.4 rating and has thrown just two interceptions.

His right knee was first injured in the Steelers' 34-7 opening win against Tennessee.

"My knee should feel a lot better than it ever did," Roethlisberger said. "From the first game on it was always very painful to me, I was just playing through the pain. They say I shouldn't feel any pain now so, hopefully, I'll be able to play with no pain in my knee for the first time in a long time."

Haynes happy to play

The Steelers ran for 159 yards last night against the Browns, and no one was happier to get a crack at some playing time than running back Verron Haynes.

Haynes, who is the team's third-down back, played most of the fourth quarter and scored the Steelers' final touchdown with 1:53 remaining on a 10-yard run around right end. He was the third running back the Steelers used in the game, following Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis. The Steelers were without starting running back Willie Parker, who was out with a sprained ankle.

"I was licking my chops like a pit bull in a cage, ready to go," said Haynes, who had 41 yards on nine carries. "I was telling [coach Bill Cowher] before the game that we've got a four-headed monster at running back."

Haynes has seen Parker go from No. 4 on the depth chart at the end of last season to starting. Because of injuries to Bettis and Staley, Haynes has received his playing time on third down and has played a bit late in games this season to spell the other backs. And while he would like more playing time, he's OK with his role.

"I'm a big competitor, and I want to get out there more," he said. "But for me, I'm ready to roll whenever the team needs me."

Bettis plays hurt

Bettis knew that when Parker was declared out that he would have to test his tender quadriceps muscle and play. The Steelers used him sparingly, calling his number nine times against the Browns.

He finished with 28 yards and a touchdown, scoring on a 1-yard run in the second quarter to tie the score, 7-7.

"With Willie down, I drew the short straw and had to play hurt," Bettis said. "I didn't have to play too much, and I was rested some, so it was an opportunity to get healthy."

Bettis said the Steelers' ability to run the ball successfully is the team's key, no matter who is playing quarterback for the team.

When Charlie Batch started at quarterback against Cleveland, it was the third starter the team has used this season.

"It's the running game that makes it possible for the quarterbacks here to manage a game," he said. "The running game is how we control things. Even when Ben is in there, it's how we control the game."

Williams wanted man

Although the Steelers waived veteran cornerback Willie Williams Saturday to add a second tight end to their roster for the game last night, they would like to re-sign him this week.

Williams was placed on waivers, giving the other 31 NFL teams a chance to claim him, and Williams would have no say in the matter. Vested veterans only have to clear waivers in the season after the trading deadline. The Steelers will not know until 4 p.m. today whether Williams will be claimed by another team.

Courson remembered

Steve Courson, a former Steelers guard who died in a mishap at his home Thursday, was remembered on the Heinz Field scoreboard before the game last night. Fans gave a warm ovation in his memory.

Courson, 50, died when a tree he cut down on his property in Fayette County fell on him. He will be buried Tuesday in his hometown of Gettysburg. Former teammates and friends plan to take a bus from Pittsburgh to the funeral.

Courson, with the Steelers from 1972-80, is the latest starter to die in recent years among those who played in the 1980s and 1990s. Others who have died: guard Tyrone McGriff (1980-82), linebacker David Little ('81-92), center Mike Webster ('74-88), tackle/guard Justin Strzelczyk ('90-99), guard Terry Long ('84-91) and defensive lineman Steve Furness ('72-80).

Lineup changes

Clint Kriewaldt made his first start for the Steelers and only his third in seven NFL seasons. He replaced James Farrior at inside linebacker, but Larry Foote played as the middle linebacker in the dime defense, usually Farrior's job. Duce Staley made his first start of the season in place of Willie Parker at running back. Mike Pucillo started at right guard for the Browns in place of Cosey Coleman.

Quick hits

Joey Porter wore a retro Cleveland Browns jersey with the No. 53 into the Steelers locker room last night. That was the number coach Bill Cowher wore when he played for the Browns from 1980-82. "The had to search long and hard to find those outfits, I'll tell you that," Cowher said. ... Tight end Matt Kranchick, signed Saturday from the practice squad, made his first NFL start last night when the Steelers opened with two tight ends. ... Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon was seriously injured in the first quarter defending a pass to Hines Ward in the end zone. The game was stopped and McCutcheon was lifted onto a cart and taken off the field with what was described as an abdominal injury. ... Steelers LB Andre Frazier took a blow to the head in the first quarter.

Inactives

Steelers: QB Ben Roethlisberger, S Mike Logan, RB Willie Parker, LB James Farrior, G Chris Kemoeatu, OT Trai Essex, TE Jerame Tuman, WR Nate Washington.

Browns: QB Derek Anderson, WR Brandon Rideau, DB Antonio Perkins, RB Williams Green, RB Lee Suggs, OL Cosey Coleman, WR Frisman Jackson, LB David McMillan.