Yahoo News : Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick headline initial pr

Obviously, the big injury story of the week, and potentially the season, is the Pittsburgh Steelers losing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the foreseeable future due to a sprained sternoclavicular joint. Roethlisberger also has a dislocation of his first rib, a situation so serious, there's concern that attempting to playing through the injury could result in a punctured aorta . "That's the more scary part because I guess if it goes in the wrong direction it could puncture the aorta," Roethlisberger said of his injury, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Given the seriousness of the injury, Roethlisberger shouldn't be expected to return anytime soon. In addition to Roethlisberger, the Steelers did not have wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle), offensive tackles Max Starks (ankle) and Marcus Gilbert (ankle), defensive end Brett Keisel (shoulder) and safety Troy Polamalu (calf), while cornerback Ike Taylor (illness) and safety Ryan Clark (concussion) were limited. Byron Leftwich will start at quarterback for the Steelers in Sunday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, who got defensive linemen Pernell McPhee (thigh) and Haloti Ngata (shoulder) back on a limited basis on Wednesday. The Ravens practiced with right guard Marshal Yanda (ankle) and cornerback Jimmy Smith (abdomen). The Philadelphia Eagles have not yet ruled out quarterback Michael Vick (concussion) for this week's game against the Washington Redskins, but rookie Nick Foles took all the first-team reps as Vick was listed as "Did Not Participate" on the practice participation report. The Eagles have already ruled wide receiver Jason Avant (hamstring) and running back Chris Polk (toe) out for Sunday's game. Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (foot) took a positive step towards returning to game action, practicing on a limited basis on Wednesday. Signed to a five-year, $42.5 million contract in March, Garcon has just eight receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in three games, losing $93,750 in "per game active" roster bonuses. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith left last Sunday's 24-24 tie with the St. Louis Rams with a concussion, but has been cleared to return to practice on a limited (non-contact) basis. Smith still has to be cleared for contact, but that he was able to practice on Wednesday is a good sign he'll be available to face the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is still being evaluated after his concussion, but head coach Lovie Smith said that Cutler is feeling better . Because they do not play until Monday, the Bears and 49ers were not required to submit an injury report on Wednesday.

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