Steelers get past depleted Ravens to stay unbeaten

The Steelers are still perfect, even amid all their imperfections.

Playing in the middle of the afternoon in the middle of the week in the middle of a pandemic, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 266 yards and a fourth- quarter touchdown to JuJu Smith- Schuster, and the Steelers improved to 11- 0 with a disjointed 19- 14 win over the undermanned Ravens on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

The Ravens ( 6- 5) lost their third in a row while playing without more than a dozen players on the COVID list, including running backs Mark Ingram and J. K. Dobbins.

Backup quarterback Robert Griffin III struggled in Lamar Jackson’s place, turning it over twice in the first quarter and completing 7 of 12 passes before being replaced by Trace McSorley midway through the fourth quarter after injuring his left hamstring.

McSorley, one of 11 players promoted from the practice squad before kickoff, connected with Marquise Brown for a 70- yard touchdown pass with 2: 58 remaining. But the Steelers were able to drain the clock behind a third- down grab by James Washington, eliminating the Ravens from repeating as AFC North champions.

Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree left in the fourth quarter with a likely torn left ACL.

Two Broncos QBs return to practice

Broncos starting quarterback Drew Lock and backup Brett Rypien returned to the practice field, but veteran practice squad QB Blake Bortles was isolated in case the Broncos run into another quarterback quandary this season.

This and that

The Lions put cornerback Desmond Trufant and defensive tackle Danny Shelton on injured reserve, activated tight end Hunter Bryant, defensive end Julian Okwara and cornerback Darryl Roberts from IR and signed defensive tackle Kevin Strong to the active roster.

♦ The Eagles activated tight end Zach Ertz off injured reserve.

♦ Raiders right tackle Trent Brown was activated off the COVID list, but is unlikely to play Sunday.

♦ Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was limited in practice.

♦ Quarterback Mike Glennon is getting another start for the Jaguars even though Gardner Minshew is fully healthy.