Steinbach's back tightened up on him in practice Wednesday. He was held out of practice Thursday and though he said before practice yesterday that he would try to practice, he was held out for the second day in a row. Instead, he was in the trainer's room getting treatment on his back. He is listed as questionable on the Browns injury report issued yesterday.

''It's nothing serious. I'll be all right,'' Steinbach said. ''I had to let it calm down (Wednesday). It's no sense making it worse.''

Lennie Friedman was with the first team at left guard and Ryan Tucker with the first team at right guard. Tucker is replacing Seth McKinney, who is out with a shoulder injury.

Steinbach shook his head and chuckled when asked if he would take a shot of painkiller so he could play against the Steelers.

''A shot?'' he said. ''No -- you just have to get all the treatments and do what the trainers say. That (a shot) is for dire needs. There are other ways to go about it. It's not that big a deal. I'll be ready.''

Steinbach missed the preseason with a knee injury. His first game with the Browns and the first regular season game for rookie Joe Thomas was the opener against the Steelers. Steinbach said he and Thomas as a tandem and the Browns as an offense are much better than in the 34-7 opening loss.

''We've evolved so much,'' he said. ''That first week we really didn't know what was going on with the quarterback situation. That wasn't us the first week. We keep making strides. That's the exciting part of going to Pittsburgh and playing.''

Jackson practices

Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson practiced on a limited basis yesterday, but he is listed as doubtful with a sprained ankle. It was the first time he practiced since being injured in the first quarter in St. Louis Oct. 28. Jackson leads the Browns with 60 tackles.

Linebacker Antwan Peek (knee) is listed as questionable. Cornerback Leigh Bodden (back) is probable.

Steelers injuries

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (hip), wide receiver Santonio Holmes (hamstring), linebacker Cliff Kriewaldt (calf) and running back Willie Parker (knee) participated in the full practice yesterday and are listed as probable. Safety Ryan Clark (spleen) and tight end Jerame Tuman (back) are out.

Yuk it up

If being loose is a good sign then the Browns will be ready for the Steelers. They were laughing and joking during stretching exercises yesterday and when that session ended they sprinted to their various positions.

Earlier in the locker room, music was blaring and players were joking around. That atmosphere has not been in Berea for a long, long time.

JSchudel@news-herald.com