Add Ben Roethlisberger to the mounting list of NFL quarterbacks who were injured in opening games over the weekend.

The good news for Roethlisberger is that the Steelers expect him to play Sunday night in Cleveland. Still, he has a sore shoulder, which happened when he hit the turf on a sack by Houston's Mario Williams Sunday at Heinz Field.

That shoulder will limit how much Roethlisberger practices today. He had a big opening game with 13 of 14 pass completions and two touchdown passes to Hines Ward in the Steelers' 38-17 victory.

Roethlisberger had tests on his shoulder and injured right knee Monday. He said after the game that his knee was hyperextended when Houston defensive tackle Amobi Okoye rolled into him near the end of the first half.

Coach Mike Tomlin did not mention anything about Roethlisberger's knee yesterday, when he first revealed the shoulder injury.

"Ben has a sore shoulder," Tomlin said. "He is probably going to be limited tomorrow. We will see what he looks like when he comes in here tomorrow. I just met with him; he was in the building getting treatment. It was just a little sore from playing in the football game."

Backup Byron Leftwich would take the brunt of the snaps in practice today if Roethlisberger does not.

Rookie Limas Sweed, the Steelers' second-round draft choice, was inactive for his first game as was veteran safety Anthony Smith.

For Sweed, it's because he is the fifth receiver, Tomlin explained. For Smith, it's because he wanted to dress six defensive linemen and eight offensive linemen in a September strategy to keep them fresh in the hotter weather.

"It is day to day," Tomlin said of what Sweed faces to pull on a uniform on a Sunday. "He has to continue to get better. When we get there, I will let him know and I will let you guys know.

"It is really nothing that is complex at this point. We are trying to win games. We are putting the best players that we feel at this point would help us win on the field. It just happens that at this point, Dallas Baker is better right now."

Many forecasters picked Cleveland to win the AFC North, including a prominent one in Pittsburgh.

"I was one of the ones that said that they are the team to beat," Tomlin reminded everyone. "Whether or not people agree with me, it is a tall challenge.

"Hopefully, it motivates us; it better motivate us because it is real. That team won 10 football games last year and got better in the offseason with some free-agent acquisitions, trades, and the like. You have to respect that, and I think that we do."

Asked if his team can deliver an early knockout blow by sending Cleveland to 0-2 Sunday night, Tomlin said, "We are not interested in knockout blows and statements. We live week to week and day to day at this point."

Besides Roethlisberger, the Steelers have two minor injuries from the game Sunday. Offensive left tackle Marvel Smith "has what can be characterized as a groin strain,"' Tomlin said. "He will probably be limited here in the first part of the week."

Cornerback Deshea Townsend has a bruised heel. No. 3 tight end Sean McHugh, signed last week, will practice today after missing the game with an ankle injury.

The Steelers released rookie wide receiver Micah Rucker and signed 6-foot-3 wide receiver Martin Nance, one of Roethlisberger's college teammates.