PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, even as a backup quarterback.

Coach Mike Tomlin was asked Tuesday whether Roethlisberger -- who underwent torn left meniscus surgery Oct. 17 -- could dress but not start in Week 9.

"All the cards are on the table," said Tomlin about Roethlisberger and all his injured players.

In Week 10 last season against the Cleveland Browns, Roethlisberger was the backup to Landry Jones while nursing a foot injury but threw for 379 yards in relief to guide a 30-9 Steelers win.

Jones might make his second consecutive start after throwing for 281 yards in Week 7 against the New England Patriots. The Steelers and Ravens are both coming off bye weeks.

The Steelers are looking to get several key players back, including right tackle Marcus Gilbert (foot, ankle), defensive end Cameron Heyward (hamstring), running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) and safety Shamarko Thomas (groin). Those players have a chance for Sunday, depending on their "reaction" to work in practice and the "quality" of that work.

Roethlisberger ran some first-team reps in Monday's practice, which Gilbert considers "very encouraging" for a potential return, though adding the Steelers want Big Ben at full strength without risking long-term health.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Roethlisberger could be out up to four to six weeks with his injury. The Steelers have remained hopeful Roethlisberger could return for the game against the Ravens, who have defeated the Steelers in five of the last six matchups.

"I thought it was generally positive," said Tomlin about Roethlisberger's practice work Monday. "We hadn't spent a lot of time analyzing it. It's just been giving him the work and him taking the work and he's done a really good job with it."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that his team expects Roethlisberger to play Sunday.

"We'll prepare as if he's going to play," Harbaugh said Monday. "We'll operate under that assumption."

Since Roethlisberger entered the league in 2004, the Ravens are 6-1 against the Steelers in the regular season when Roethlisberger doesn't play and 8-9 when he does.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.