On Thursday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gave embattled Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the green light to return to team activities next week. Roethlisberger was suspended after a 20-year-old college student accused him of sexual assault.

Here's a nugget from an ESPN report that directly affects the Browns:

On April 21, Goodell suspended Roethlisberger for six games, but said he would consider reducing the suspension to four games at the start of the regular season, based on the quarterback's progress. … If the suspension is reduced to four games, he would return for a home matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 17.

My two cents: The Browns and their fans better hope Roethlisberger's six-game suspension remains intact. Sure, the Browns beat Big Ben and the Steelers 13-6 this past December, sparking a four-game winning streak to end the 2009 season. But Roethlisberger still owns a 10-1 career record against the Browns. In those 11 games, he's passed for 2,434 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Browns could obviously benefit from facing Roethlisberger once this season instead of twice.

'Just Another Game'

Is this what free agency have wrought?  A couple of media members did a double take in the Browns locker room when Shaun Smith downplayed the importance of this Sunday night's Browns-Steelers game that's being televised nationally on NBC (WKYC Channel 3)

"It's just another game.  We're trying to get better and trying to get a 'W'," Smith said. "I know it's a big rivalry as you guys (the media) make it, but to us it's just another game on the schedule that we have to go out and play and try to make something happen."

I'm willing to give Smith the benefit of the doubt on this one for not wanting to give the Steelers any bulletin board material.  But in this part of the NFL universe, he could have at least acknowledge the importance of the game on some level.

Sean Jones out

As reported in Marla Ridenour's blog post earlier, Sean Jones is out because of knee problems and will have arthroscopic surgery on it in the hopes of remedying the problem.   It will fall to backup Mike Adams to help fill the void in the defensive backfield. He said he's up to the responsibility.

"I'm ready for the challenge.  I'm out there getting everything right. I'm looking at film for anything and everything, so I'll definitely be ready." 

He'll have his word cut out for him with having to deal with Hines Ward and Heath Miller.

Just a Little Recognition

Browns center Hank Fraley recognizes that this game goes beyond being "just another game" in that he believes that it's still a rivalry.  More importantly, however, he understands the predicament the Browns could find themselves.

"It's been a long time for us to be at the top and here's a chance to be there.  We go 1-1 for the season and 1-0 in our division. It's a big game for us.  They're going to be up for it; we're going to be up for it.  It's going to be exciting Sunday Night Football."

From the Other Side

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger left his team's opener with an injured shoulder this past Sunday and didn't practice today. 

"Today has been a good mental day for me watching and learning about the blitzes and the new plays we put in, so that will be a very above-the-shoulders productive day today, so we'll take it one day at a time," he said in a conference call with reporters.

Browns fans shouldn't count on Roethlisberger not playing.  His coach, Mike Tomlin, said there's little dobut he will.