Tomlin says Roethlisberger to practice

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed Sunday's game because of a concussion, is expected to practice this week, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said.

Tomlin said Roethlisberger, who experienced headaches late last week, didn't report any issues last weekend. He missed last week's game, which the Steelers lost at Baltimore, after suffering a concussion during a Nov. 22 game at Kansas City.

Roethlisberger was cleared to practice last week and worked out Wednesday and Thursday. Friday, however, his practice time was cut short and he was withheld from the Ravens game. Dennis Dixon started at quarterback for Pittsburgh.

"I think the entire week Ben was prepared to and expecting to play (at Baltimore)," Tomlin said at his Tuesday news conference. "He realized he was experiencing some discomfort, he realized that was a part of the process. He had been through that before. But based on (the doctor's) suggestion, we did what we felt was appropriate. Whether he agreed with it or not was really irrelevant at that point. We had a game to play."

The Steelers have lost their last three games and are 6-5 going into a game against the Oakland Raiders.