DeCastro thinks he might play vs. Ravens

Says hand injury has turned corner

All-Pro offensive lineman David DeCastro, who has missed the past two games with a hand injury, believes he is close to a return.

DeCastro suffered a fractured bone in his right hand in the season opener in Cleveland and missed the past two games.

“I’m feeling really good,” DeCastro said. “I think it’s kind of turned the corner a little bit. The strength is coming back. We’ll see how it goes. I’ll try it out this week and see.”

Wednesday was a light practice day for the Steelers, but DeCastro was listed as full participant. He’ll get a better feel for whether he can play after a few more rigorous practices.

The Steelers were 1-1 without DeCastro, but the offense did not miss a beat in either game. They scored 37 points against the Kansas City Chiefs and 30 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Tampa Monday, the Steelers also had to play without starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who missed the game with a hamstring injury.

Matt Feiler played well in his first start at tackle, and B.J. Finney continued his strong play as a backup guard. The Steelers are now 8-1 when Finney starts.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he did not change anything with the offense to compensate for two starters being down on the right side of the line.

“There wasn’t one change I made,” Roethlisberger said. “Randy [Fichtner] might have called some things to put a tight end over there. When I was in the nohuddle and I was calling plays, I didn’t think about it one time. To me, that’s the ultimate compliment to two guys that are out there. Obviously, Finney plays a lot. For [Feiler] to be out there, I thought he did a great job.”

Gilbert also returned to practice as a full participant Wednesday and is hopeful he can play against Baltimore.

More injury news

Safety Morgan Burnett returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Buccaneers game with a groin injury. Slot corner Mike Hilton, who left that game with an elbow injury, did not practice. His arm was in a sling. Receiver JuJu SmithSchuster did not practice because of an abdomen injury. Roethlisberger and offensive lineman Ramon Foster were given veteran’s days off.

Discipline needed

Darrius Heyward-Bey committed two penalties on one play late in the game against Tampa Bay. He was penalized for an illegal shift and for unsportsmanlike conduct after he disputed the first penalty with an official. The penalties cost the Steelers 19 yards in field position on Tampa Bay’s final drive.

“I didn’t agree with the first one,” Heyward-Bey said. “If he wanted to throw the second one, that’s on him.”

The Steelers defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense ran out the clock.

Heyward-Bey said he and his teammates have to eliminate those types of penalties. They are first in the league in penalties and penalty yardage after three games.

“It’s a learning point for the 53-man roster,” he said. “I can’t put my teammates in that situation. We just have to be more disciplined.”