Steelers uncertain whether Ben Roethlisberger can return for Ravens

— -- Even though Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger said his goal is to return to practice following this weekend's bye, the team is uncertain its quarterback can return from a knee injury for a Week 9 matchup in Baltimore against the Ravens, a source told ESPN.

"Ben always puts a premium on the Ravens game, but it's awfully early," one source close to the situation said Thursday. "I'd be nervous about it. It could be Dallas or even the week after.

"I would guess we're still a few weeks out."

If that assessment is accurate, Roethlisberger, who had surgery to repair his left meniscus Oct. 17, would not play versus the Ravens and still could be a question mark for Nov. 13 in Pittsburgh against the Dallas Cowboys.

Doctors initially told the Steelers that Roethlisberger's knee surgery would sideline him 4-to-6 weeks, and as of last week, Roethlisberger still hadn't gotten his stitches from the surgery removed.

Roethlisberger did some individual work at practice last week and said on 93.7 The Fan that "I'm taking it day to day, but my goal is to practice next week."

While Roethlisberger may not be ready for the Ravens, this weekend's bye did Steelers' wide receiver Antonio Brown some good, giving him an extra week to rest the "little hip pointer" he suffered during the team's loss to New England in Week 7.

"Getting better," Brown texted last week.

With the extra week of rest, Brown is likely to be recovered enough to be able to play against the Ravens.