--Veteran DE Orpheus Roye was signed to a one-year deal Sunday to add depth to the defensive line. Roye (6-4, 330) was originally drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round in 1996. He spent his first four seasons with Pittsburgh before signing with the Browns in 2000. Roye was released by the Browns earlier this year.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Justin Hartwig vs. Sean Mahan to start at C -- It remains the lone, official job opening. Mahan started the first game, Hartwig the second. Hartwig said the coaches wanted to pick one this week and Hartwig was running with the first team at the start of it. Coach Mike Tomlin said they have not yet decided. "No, we're still looking at those guys. I think it's important we get a true evaluation of the position by allowing Justin to continue to work with the first group and get some cohesion things squared away, some communication, some silent count issues. But I like where both guys are and I think we have two viable options there."

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Larry Foote vs. Lawrence Timmons at ILB -- Foote's still running No. 1 and the coaches say he'll start, but Timmons looks as though he won't be contained. He had another big game in Toronto with a sack and blowing up a quarterback on another occasion. ... Deshea Townsend vs. Bryant McFadden to start at CB -- There was no real competition and Mike Tomlin said Townsend will start.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: QB Ben Roethlisberger -- Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, Roethlisberger is getting better in practice and in games. He hasn't played much in the two preseason games but this guy is taking it to another level in his fifth NFL season. Roethlisberger completed nine of 11 passes with a 40-yard TD to Santonio Holmes against the Bills. He did throw his first interception, but the safety made a diving catch. He's 11 of 13 for 180 yards and two touchdowns in two games, both to Holmes.

ROOKIE REPORT: RB Rashard Mendenhall carried 11 times for 30 yards against Buffalo. He had a nice series in which he carried all five times from the 18-yard line, picked up a short-yardage first down and scored from the six. He's having a decent camp, not great. ... WR Limas Sweed dropped two passes vs. Buffalo and continued it by dropping a couple in the first practice of camp afterward. ... LB Bruce Davis is not making the kind of strides hoped for and may not get the kind of playing time as a situational rusher they planned. ... OT Tony Hills has made little impression but may be retained on the final roster anyway. ... LB Mike Humpal can't get on the practice field because of a stinger. ... QB Dennis Dixon is making good strides and has the team made as the No. 3.

INJURY REPORT: S Troy Polamalu, on the PUP with a hamstring injury, was scheduled to practice for the first time this week.

TE Jon Dekker was waived injured with a torn ACL from the game vs. Buffalo.

Rookie S Ryan Mundy had the boot removed from his high ankle sprain and could practice soon.

Minor injuries that kept players temporarily out of practice include LB Mike Humpal (stinger), LB Patrick Bailey (knee), LB Keyaron Fox (back spasms), LB Andre Frazier (shoulder), TE Cody Boyd (shoulder) and NT Scott Paxson (stinger).