Chris Hoke hasn't started an NFL game since the Steelers lost to the New England Patriots in the 2004 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field, one of 12 games he started that season for injured nose tackle Casey Hampton.

But he will get another chance Monday night when the Steelers (2-1) play the Baltimore Ravens (2-0) at Heinz Field, replacing Hampton, who has a groin injury, in the AFC's No. 1 rush defense.

"I really feel strongly I can go in there and get the job done," Hoke said.

There doesn't appear to be much concern that he won't.

Even though he is replacing a four-time Pro Bowl nose tackle, Hoke is in his eighth season with the Steelers and, according to his teammates, would be a starter on most NFL teams. The Steelers think enough of his ability that they signed him to a four-year, $6 million contract in June 2007 that included a $1.5 million signing bonus, even though Hoke never has been considered anything more than Hampton's backup.

"I don't think we'd keep him there if he hadn't proven that [he can play]," said defensive end Aaron Smith. "He's a veteran guy, backing up one of the best. They're not going to pay him as much as they pay him, they're not going to pay a backup for an All-Pro guy, if they didn't think he was worth it."

Hampton's injury, which likely will cause him to miss at least two games, takes on greater significance because the team is already without defensive end Brett Keisel, who injured his calf and who will miss his second game in a row. Travis Kirschke, who will start at right defensive end against the Ravens, also will serve as Hoke's backup at nose tackle.

Keisel might return next week in Jacksonville, though it is likely he will be held out until after the bye week.

"In most cases, I'd say it's real tough [losing two starters], but not in this type of scenario," Smith said. "We have two guys who are good players. Most teams, you lose two defensive linemen, you'd be struggling. But we have two great backups who I think would be starting for a lot of other teams."

Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who suffered a quad contusion, returned to practice after missing the previous two days and will play against the Ravens.

Polamalu leads the team and is second in the AFC with three interceptions. His career high is five set in 2004, his first year as a starter.

Cornerback Deshea Townsend practiced for the second day in a row and is expected to play as the nickel back in the substitution packages.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has been told by coach Mike Tomlin to limit the number of offensive plays against the Ravens in an attempt to avoid the confusion that occurred in Philadelphia.

That doesn't mean rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall, who will replace Willie Parker, injured with a sprained knee, will have a reduced playbook because it is his first NFL start.

"He's like any player on our team -- we don't change anything for anybody," Arians said. "You step in, you're a starter for the Steelers, you run the Steelers' offense."

It might be premature to start labeling the Ravens (2-0) a division contender because their victories were at home and came against the winless Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens were to play at Houston in Week 2, but the game was postponed until November because of Hurricane Ike.

"If every team had an option, most teams would want to play home," said Ray Lewis, their nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker. It probably also benefited rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, who didn't have to deal with problems such as crowd noise and silent counts -- something he will have to encounter Monday night at Heinz Field.

One of the Ravens' starting cornerbacks, Samari Rolle, will not play Monday night because of shoulder and neck injuries. In Rolle's place, the Ravens could go with a combination of reserve cornerbacks Fabian Washington, Corey Ivy and Frank Walker.