Roethlisberger practices; Steelers release defensive back Ratliff

COMBINED DISPATCHES

PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger practiced Wednesday despite sustaining a concussion against Kansas City on Sunday.

Roethlisberger is expected to play Sunday night in Baltimore.

While Roethlisberger went through a usual Wednesday practice, second-year quarterback Dennis Dixon took more snaps than usual. Dixon moved up the depth chart when backup Charlie Batch broke his left wrist during the 27-24 loss to the Chiefs.

The Steelers added a third quarterback by signing former three-year Pitt starter Tyler Palko to their practice squad.

Defensive end Travis Kirschke practiced after missing three games with a torn left calf muscle. Safety Troy Polamalu (left knee ligament) missed the workout.

The Steelers made several roster moves, including releasing Youngstown native Keiwan Ratliff, a cornerback with six years of NFL experience.

The Steelers added veteran linebacker Rocky Boiman and cornerback Corey Ivy to their active roster.

Boiman (6-foot-4, 242 pounds), an eight-year veteran from Notre Dame, was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.

He played with Tennessee from 2002-05 and was in training camp with Tennessee in 2009 before being waived on Sept. 4.

Boiman played with the Indianapolis Colts from 2006-07 and with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008. He has registered 197 tackles on defense, 1.5 sacks and forced three fumbles during his NFL career. Boiman has also recorded 57 special teams tackles.

Ivy (5-9, 180), a nine-year veteran from Oklahoma, originally signed with the New England Patriots and an undrafted rookie in 1999. He made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster in 2001 and played with Buccaneers through 2004.

Ivy played in 2005 with the St. Louis Rams and from 2006-08 with the Baltimore Ravens. He was in training camp with the Cleveland Browns in 2009, but was released prior to the regular season.

The Steelers made room by releasing Ratliff and second-year LB Donavan Woods. Ratliff signed with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent this past May. Woods was recently activated from the Steelers’ practice squad on Nov. 17.