Jan 14, 2016 2 min read

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Ben Roethlisberger did not practice – really – for the second consecutive day – but he was listed as “limited” by the Steelers after doing some handoffs, as head coach Mike Tomlin said he would do earlier in the week.

But that has been the plan all along for Roethlisberger, who is expected to do at least some light throwing Friday as the Steelers gear up to head to Denver.

While Antonio Brown did not practice again Thursday, according to Martavis Bryant, he did attend meetings, which means he’s at least through stage 3 of the league’s concussion protocol. Up next would be a return to full-blown physical activity.

There are five stages, with the fifth being full football activity clearance following an meeting with an independent neurologist.

Running back DeAngelo Williams, meanwhile, was in athletic shoes on Thursday – as opposed to a walking boot – but he’s done that off and on the past two weeks.

@ Interesting stat: Payton Manning has thrown 1 touchdown pass and 8 interceptions in four home starts this season.

Interesting state No. 2: The Broncos averaged 78.3 yards rushing in Manning’s nine starts, 134.9 in Brock Osweiller’s seven.

Manning averaged 6.80 yards per pass attempt this season but completed just 59.8 percent of his passes. Both are his lowest since his rookie season.

He’s still dangerous, at times, because, well, he’s Payton Manning and he’s seen everything in 266 career games.

But Manning has no arm strength and the Steelers can take advantage of that.

@ Last week, the most experienced playoff quarterbacks all moved on. Here’s how that list looks this week:

Brady 29

Manning 24

Roethlisberger 16

Rodgers 13

Wilson 9

Smith & Newton 3

Palmer 2

If form holds true, that would mean the Patriots, Broncos, Packers and Seahawks would all be moving on this weekend. I don’t see that happening, however.

I am surprised that Carson Palmer is the least experienced playoff QB of the remaining guys.

@ Ryan Shazier said today that he was not fined for his hit that knocked Giovanni Bernard out of last Saturday’s game.

It won’t be what Bengals fans want to hear, but as I said all along, Bernard was a runner – not receiver – when Shazier hit him.