The Latest on Week 9 of the NFL season (all times Eastern):
12:50 p.m.
Ready or not, Ben Roethlisberger is poised to start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Three weeks removed from surgery on his right knee, Roethlisberger was in uniform for an AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
After throwing without any apparent discomfort during pregame drills, the 13-year veteran had a quick discussion with coach Mike Tomlin before running into the tunnel with the rest of the team.
Although Roethlisberger practiced for much of the week, the decision by Tomlin to start him appeared to go down to the final hour.
Roethlisberger missed only one game, two weeks ago against New England. He was replaced by Landry Jones, who is serving as the backup Sunday.
– David Ginsburg reporting from Baltimore.
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11:50 a.m.
Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is active and looks ready to play against the winless Browns.
Bryant was listed as questionable on Friday despite practicing. He only returned to the lineup last week after missing a month with a hairline fracture in his right knee. Bryant made several one-handed grabs while warming up before Sunday’s game, delighting a huge throng of Dallas fans who may outnumber Browns backers at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Bryant has 15 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. A healthy Bryant gives Cowboys rookie quarterback another down-field weapon, which could open things up for the NFL’s top rushing game.
Dallas is looking for its seventh straight win after losing the opener.
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11:30 a.m.
The Raiders and Broncos are a fitting Week 9 headliner, playing in prime time with first place in the AFC West on the line.
And matchups between the Steelers and Ravens as well as the Eagles against the Giants are giving this week a rivalry feel.
The Lions also visit Minnesota, where the Vikings have enjoyed one of the league’s more lopsided rivalries. The teams haven’t played in Minnesota’s new stadium, though.
Detroit-Minnesota, Pittsburgh-Baltimore and Philadelphia-Giants are among the games scheduled for the early start at 1 p.m. Eastern time, along with the Jets visiting Miami, the Jaguars playing the Chiefs and the Cowboys facing the Browns.
The late afternoon games include: New Orleans at San Francisco, Carolina at Los Angeles, Indianapolis at Green Bay and Tennessee at San Diego.
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The Latest: Big Ben to start 3 weeks after knee surgery
