Ben Roethlisberger went through a full practice yesterday and should start at quarterback Sunday for the Steelers against San Diego.

Roethlisberger even cut loose with a couple of deep passes, one traveling nearly 50 yards in the air, as he showed no signs of the sore right shoulder that has bothered him from the start of the season.

Coach Mike Tomlin implied Tuesday that if Roethlisberger did not practice more often this week than last -- when he practiced only Friday -- he might not start against the Chargers.

"I'm practicing today and every day unless something happens to me," Roethlisberger said. "It always helps when you're out there doing stuff and guys can hear your voice and see the ball come out of your hand. I think it'll help out a lot."

Roethlisberger did not think missing practice affected his timing with his receivers that much, though. "It's not like we have any new guys out there. When you're out there throwing to the receivers that I have and am used to throwing with, we don't lose too much of it, but it will be nice out there practicing with them."

A takeaway

Three days later, Roethlisberger's game against the Colts got worse. NFL statisticians took away one of his pass completions, changing it to a lateral to Hines Ward for a 4-yard rush.

That reduced Ward to eight receptions for 112 yards and Roethlisberger to 29 of 41 for 280. His passer rating dipped also, from 60.0, to 59.0.

It's the third consecutive game Roethlisberger's rating has been under 60, the first time that has happened since he began the 2006 season after missing the opener following his appendectomy with three under 60.

Small adjustment

Safety Ryan Clark wore a harness to protect his dislocated shoulder in last Sunday's game, and he talked about how Willie Parker will have to adjust to wearing one this week.

Asked how his shoulder felt a week later, Clark said "It's still attached. Unlike my spleen and gall bladder, I still have one."

Clark's spleen and gall bladder were removed last year after he had a bad blood reaction to the high altitude in Denver. Clark has sickle cell trait.

A better second half

Parker hopes the next seven games of the regular season are better than the first nine. He got off to a fast start with two 100-yard games but his knee was sprained in the next one, and, after missing four games, he returned to play only to be knocked out again with a torn labrum.

He practiced yesterday and should play Sunday.

"The first half of the season, I don't want to talk about it," said Parker, who has 333 yards rushing. "The second half of the season I hope will be a lot better."

The Steelers' running attack stands just 24th in the NFL ranking today.

"I take pride where we stand in the running game, so we definitely have to get it back to where it was last year, the year before that and the year before that."

Quick hits

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf) and offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back) did not practice yesterday. Woodley likely will go today but Smith, who has missed the past four games, remains in question. ... Ward, who leads the Steelers with 561 yards on 43 receptions, is near pace for his first 1,000-yard season since 2004. A 100-yard game Sunday would give him two in a row for only the second time in his career. He had three in a row in 2002. ... Mewelde Moore's 22 receptions are one fewer than Parker had all last season when he led their running backs. ... Food and cash will be collected before Sunday's game to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Fans can drop off nonperishable food and grocery items or make cash donations to Food Bank volunteers who will be stationed at the Heinz Field gates.