Ben Roethlisberger is taking a safety-first approach as the Steelers try to squeeze their way into the playoffs the next two weeks.

He said he won't take as many chances when he drops back to pass.

"It's coming down to crunch time when you know you can't afford to make mistakes," Roethlisberger said. "I'm taking that playoff mentality right now."

Roethlisberger threw five interceptions in consecutive losses to Indianapolis and Cincinnati. He followed with no interceptions against Chicago and Minnesota, both wins. He also threw no touchdown passes in those two games, completing 23 of 35 passes for 322 yards.

"There are probably a couple of times where I maybe could have tried to sneak one in, but you never know what can happen," Roethlisberger said. "I'd rather take the high road right now and play it smart."

He did that when he scored the game's only touchdown in Minnesota, diving into the left corner of the end zone to end a 3-yard run. He thought of passing to Antwaan Randle El, but decided to run instead for the score. He was sacked four times and scrambled out of the pocket three other times in Minnesota (two other "carries" were a fumbled snap and downing the ball by going to his knee to end the game).

"That competitor, that quarterback in me wants to make plays every play, wants to fire the ball in and give my guys opportunities," Roethlisberger said. "I'll still do that, but I also have to be able to use my head and be smart and make sure I don't hurt this team."

One thing not hurting as much is his right thumb, which has a strained tendon and a chip on the bone. This will be his fourth start since the thumb injury Nov. 28 in Indianapolis.

Injury updates

Coach Bill Cowher upgraded offensive tackle Marvel Smith (ankle) from questionable to probable yesterday, and it appears he will make his first start in four games after he went through another full practice.

"Everything went good, I had a lot of fun," Smith said. "I'm preparing the best I can to be able to go out there and play. It's tough sitting back watching your team, not being able to go out and contribute and help us win games. It was the toughest period I've been through in a long time."

Cowher added cornerback Chidi Iwuoma (ankle) to the list as probable, as was quarterback Tommy Maddox, who was sick. Neither Iwuoma nor linebacker Clint Kriewaldt (probable, ankle) practiced.

"I think they'll both be ready to go [Saturday]," Cowher said.

Cleveland's injury report for Wednesday listed quarterback Charlie Frye as probable with an ankle injury, although he injured his ribs Sunday playing against Oakland.

The Browns' official injury report: Cornerback Ray Mickens (groin), defensive end Orpheus Roye (knee) are questionable; Frye (ankle), tight end Steve Heiden (ankle), cornerback Antonio Perkins (hand), tight end Aaron Shea (calf) are probable.

Big Ben makes house call

Roethlisberger visited the family of slain state trooper Cpl. Joseph Pokorny for an hour Tuesday night and arranged through the Steelers for them to receive four tickets to their Jan. 1 game against Detroit at Heinz Field.

"It's tough, especially this time of year, to lose a family member," Roethlisberger said. "I just wanted to show my support, my condolences and try to send a little bit of holiday cheer if you can. It's always cool, I guess, when people around here get to see some Steelers. It was an opportunity for me to get over there."

Roethlisberger delivered an autographed football to the Center home of Pokorny's parents, where the trooper's two children, Joe and Ali, and other family members and friends were gathered. He signed autographs and had photos taken of him and family members.

Sacked

Linebacker Joey Porter fell out of a tie for the team sack lead. The league's statisticians yesterday split what had been a Porter sack against the Vikings into halves -- one for Porter, the other for end Kimo von Oelhoffen. That leaves Porter with 7 1/2 sacks, a half sack behind LB Clark Haggans.