PITTSBURGH (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger is back on his feet again.
Both of them.

The Steelers quarterback practiced Tuesday for the first time
since injuring his right foot during the team’s final training camp
practice, and coach Mike Tomlin said he will play in Saturday
night’s exhibition game against Buffalo.

“He won’t be limited in any form or fashion,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers starters are expected to play about a half against
Buffalo, their most extensive playing time before the Sept. 10
season opener against Tennessee.

Roethlisberger sat out last Saturday’s preseason game against
Washington, two days after left tackle Max Starks accidentally
stepped on the quarterback’s right foot minutes before the Steelers
ended training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

During practice Tuesday at the team’s training complex in
Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger took part in individual drills,
including the 7-on-7 passing drills, but did not take any snaps
with the entire offense on the field until late in the workout.

A bag of ice was strapped onto the back of his right foot
minutes before practice ended, just as it was after he was hurt
last week.

“We like where he is,” Tomlin said.

Roethlisberger didn’t talk to reporters, but he appeared to work
without any significant discomfort although he still has a slight
limp.

Roethlisberger has not missed a game since being held out of a
meaningless final regular season game in 2007, when the Steelers
knew they would have a playoff game the following weekend.

The Steelers will be without second-year quarterback Dennis
Dixon (separated right shoulder) against Buffalo and possibly for
the Sept. 3 exhibition game against Carolina. Dixon was hurt during
the Redskins game, which means more snaps for backup Charlie
Batch.

“I’ll characterize him (Dixon) as out for this week, but that’s
all I’m willing to characterize him at this point,” Tomlin said.
“I’m going to be optimistic.”

Dixon was pushing Batch for the backup job, but may be out of
the running for that now because of the injury. At this time a year
ago, Batch already was done for the season because of a broken
collarbone, so he is enjoying playing in the preseason more than
usual.

“It’s good to be out there again,” said Batch, a 12-year
veteran.

The only other quarterback in camp is undrafted free agent Mike
Reilly of Central Washington, a Division II school. In limited
preseason action, Reilly has gone 2 for 5 for 17 yards and been
sacked once, but the Steelers don’t plan to sign any other
quarterback before the season starts.

Notes: Backup tight end Sean McHugh, who essentially serves as
the fullback on some running plays, will have arthroscopic knee
surgery Wednesday in what Tomlin calls a “clean-up procedure.”
McHugh is expected to miss the rest of the preseason. … Count
cornerback William Gay among those who is glad to be back at
Steelers headquarters following nearly three weeks at Saint
Vincent. “You get tired of just seeing the dorms and the (practice)
fields,” he said.