PITTSBURGH — Steelers running back Jerome Bettis is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after missing Pittsburgh's last three games with a groin injury.

        He skipped Wednesday's practice, as he has done most of the season, even when healthy.

        “I can't really predict the future, so I take it day by day,” Bettis said. “I'm not 100 percent yet. I just want to keep improving and take it day by day.”

        The Steelers need one victory — or one loss by the Oakland Raiders — to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

        Bettis doesn't want to go into the playoffs after sitting out five games and a bye week.

        “You don't want to do it unless you have to,” he said. “It wouldn't take a whole lot. It would just take getting the speed of the game back. That's the one thing you want to do. You want to just get the speed of the game back, get a feel for it. I'm a veteran so there's not going to be a lot new. I just want to get the feel of the game, get a couple carries and see where I'm at.”

        Joining Bettis on the sideline Wednesday were linebackers Earl Holmes (knee) and Joey Porter (shoulder) and running back Amos Zereoue (shoulder). All three players are listed as probable on the Steelers' injury report.

        The Bengals are 4-10 and coming off of a 16-0 loss in Baltimore, where players squabbled during and after the game.

        The Steelers don't expect the Bengals to go through the motions on Sunday.

        “The Bengals are not like that. I've been there,” Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen said. “The coaches they've got over there will not quit, and if you watch the films you'll see the players have not quit.”

Second chance yields first place SULLIVAN: Bengals better? Just barely Akili Smith has surgery on hamstring Bettis questionable for Bengals game Reinard Wilson finally making impact Bengals notebook: Kitna, Johnson patch things up NFL notebook: Carter takes Moss' words personally

Record-breaking Bonds AP's Male Athlete of Year
Baseball notebook: Mets trying for Vaughn, Gonzalez
Toledo star at home in dome
UK's Blevins out 4-6 weeks
Louisville 94, Eastern Ky. 77
Issel steps aside in Denver
Duncan hangs 53 in loss to Mavs
Hurricanes, Leafs slug it out
Coming up this week
Ohio: Hite leads Winton in rally
Kentucky: Scott boys blast Estill Co. 80-49
Area football players catch recruiters' eyes

• Return to Bengals front page...