Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center Maurkice Pouncey didn't wear a walking boot on his sprained left ankle, nor did he use crutches before the team left its Fort Worth hotel Wednesday for practice at Texas Christian University.
But Pouncey didn't practice, and he told NFL Network reporter Albert Breer that if he doesn't go Friday, he won't play in Sunday's Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers.
"If I'm not on the field Friday, most likely I'm not playing," Pouncey said, adding that it's his thought, not something he has been told by the Steelers' coaching staff. "I'm not going to put the team in a bad position."
Pouncey, who wore regular athletic shoes Wednesday morning and later said he spent the Steelers' practice time rehabilitating in the TCU trainers' room, told Breer the walking boot will go back on in the evening. And Pouncey hasn't resumed running yet.
"I feel positive," said Pouncey, who stood by his Tuesday assertion that his chances of playing were 75 percent. "I'm working to get my range of motion back, but it's going good."
Pouncey, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, sustained a high ankle sprain early in the Steelers' AFC Championship Game victory Jan. 23 over the New York Jets. He didn't practice last week, but he said Tuesday that he hoped to take the field Thursday or Friday.
"He's a center who's got a high ankle sprain," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "If he played a skill position, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But he's an interior lineman. Whether he practices (by Friday) depends how he responds to treatment."
Backup center Doug Legursky, who could start in Pouncey's place, impressed Wednesday with his quickness to get outside on some running plays, as Tomlin has asked.
"He's an athletic guy," Tomlin said. "And I've challenged him to get out and run and lead that group."
Legursky said he's preparing as if he will start against the Packers.
"I prepare every week as if I'm going to start even if all the guys are healthy," he said.
Aaron Smith, the only other injured Steeler, was limited in practice, and Tomlin acknowledged he is losing faith that the veteran defensive end will be able to play Sunday.
Smith hasn't played since tearing his left triceps Oct. 24 against the Miami Dolphins, and Tomlin said, when asked if he had any realistic hope that his lineman could face the Packers: "I do, but it's fading."
Notes: QB Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp while throwing 10- to 12-yard sideline routes. ... No. 3 QB Charlie Batch, performing with the scout team, was particularly sharp against the first-team defense late in the session, hitting rookie WR Antonio Brown up the seam for a long gain and winning praise from Tomlin. ... Starting CB Ike Taylor dropped a sure interception in the session, leading LB Larry Foote to shout from the sideline: "Save it for the game! Save it for the game!" Others were more critical of Taylor. Said Tomlin: "Our peanut gallery was in perfect form today." ... The FOX television crew, led by play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Troy Aikman, watched practice.
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