It was a positive day for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

Roethlisberger has missed the last three games with rib and shoulder injuries, but if he continues to progress he could play this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.

"I thought it was a positive day for Ben," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "He threw the ball around both vertically and horizontally. I thought the ball had good velocity, particularly in a few instances. It was positive. Obviously, we'll see how his body responds to it tomorrow, but I thought today was a good step. We'll see what tomorrow holds for us."

Tomlin said on Tuesday that Charlie Batch will start Sunday's game if Roethlisberger can't go.

The Steelers dropped their first two games without Roethlisberger in the lineup, but bounced back with a win at Baltimore on Sunday.