PITTSBURGH -- Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey says he will play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys despite a thumb injury he suffered Sunday in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Pro Bowler has been wearing a protective cast over his right thumb, which required a minor surgical procedure. But he plans to practice Friday in some capacity and said he won't have any problems snapping the ball.
"I'm playing 100 percent, never any doubt," Pouncey told a group of reporters Thursday. "People are making a bigger deal than what it is. Let's just go play, man, we got a football game. I sat on the couch too long not to be ready to play in any football game."
Pouncey missed all of last season with a serious lower leg injury that required seven surgical procedures.
When asked Wednesday about potential replacements for Pouncey, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said, "We'll keep our fingers crossed for Pounce." On Tuesday, Roethlisberger said on his weekly radio show with 93.7 The Fan that reserve center B.J. Finney struggled with snaps in the Ravens game.
In other injury news, running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.
Receiver Sammie Coates (finger) was a full participant, while wide receiver Markus Wheaton (shoulder) was limited.