Rooney expects Big Ben back

Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Art Rooney II said Tuesday that he expects quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to return next season.

Roethlisberger said last week he needed to evaluate things before committing to playing in 2017. Rooney said he spoke with Roethlisberger recently and thinks he will be back for a 14th season.

Rooney called it ‘‘ natural’’ for a player with Roethlisberger’s experience to think about the future and said the Steelers are probably due to address their quarterback situation in the draft.

The Buffalo Bills said they won’t retain specialteams quality- control coach Kathryn Smith, the first full- time female assistant in the NFL.

Running backKe’ Shawn Vaughn, who last month said he was transferring from Illinois, announced he will attend Vanderbilt in his native Nashville, Tennessee.

Cavs to look at Hinrich

Multiple outlets reported former Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich, who hasn’t played in the NBA this season, will work out for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who need a backup for Kyrie Irving. Hinrich, 36, played for the Bulls in 2003- 10 and in 2012- 16.

The Toronto Raptors said swingman DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 27.8 points, will miss the next two games because of a sprained right ankle.

Isles extend goalie Greiss

The New York Islanders signed goalie Thomas Greiss to a three- year, $ 10 million contract extension that runs through the 2019- 20 season. He is 14- 7- 3 with a .928 save percentage this season.

The New York Rangers gave coach Alain Vigneault a two- year contract extension that runs through the 2019- 20 season. He is 175- 98- 23 since taking over as the Rangers’ coach in June 2013.