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Roethlisberger's status in doubt for Sunday's game

Oct 24, 2006 - 10:55 PM Pittsburgh (2-4) at Oakland (1-5) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Steelers already have won once without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger this season.

The Steelers could be without Roethlisberger for a second time on Sunday when they visit the Oakland Raiders for the first time in more than a decade.

Roethlisberger suffered a blow to the head and was knocked unconscious in the third quarter of last week's 41-38 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He is questionable for this contest.

"Ben had an MRI done on his brain and neck and the results of those came back normal," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "He also had an impact test, a concussion test, and we were very encouraged by the results. We will monitor his progress as the week goes on."

Roethlisberger completed 16-of-22 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns before he was hit in the head by Falcons defensive end Chauncey Davis with 7:40 left in the third quarter.

After becoming the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl last February at the age of 23, Roethlisberger has endured numerous setbacks.

Roethlisberger suffered serious facial injuries in a June 12 motorcycle accident that nearly took his life. Then he underwent an emergency appendectomy on September 3, four days before the season opener.

Charlie Batch started the opener in Roethlisberger's place and passed for three touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Miami.

Batch completed 8-of-13 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Roethlisberger last week.

With or without Roethlisberger, the Steelers are in desperate need of a win in this contest. The defending Super Bowl champions are in third place in the AFC North, two games behind both Baltimore and Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh has not visited the "Black Hole" since a 29-10 victory in 1995. The teams have met in Pittsburgh four times since, with the Steelers winning three times, including a 24-21 triumph in the last meeting in 2004.

Outscored by a lopsided 126-50 in their first five games, the Raiders finally picked up their first win under Art Shell last week, a 22-9 victory over last-place Arizona.

Randy Moss caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, and defensive end Derrick Burgess registered two sacks in the win over the Cardinals.

Andrew Walter completed 17-of-30 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown with an interception before leaving with a hamstring injury. He is expected to start on Sunday.