PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey did not practice again Thursday because of the left ankle injury he sustained during Sunday's AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets.

Later Thursday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, citing unidentified sources, reported that Pouncey had a broken bone in his left ankle to go with a sprain. Damage to ankle ligaments remains the major obstacle for Pouncey, the report said.

Pouncey said after Sunday's game that he intended on playing in the Super Bowl. He was seen in a cast and on crutches Wednesday; later that day, teammate Chris Kemoeatu told reporters that Pouncey was not going to play in the Super Bowl. Kemoeatu backed off those comments Thursday.

Also not practicing for the Steelers was starting cornerback Bryant McFadden, who has a strained abdomen. McFadden also did not practice early last week, but he returned to practice Friday and played Sunday -- albeit with a somewhat reduced workload.

William Gay assumed McFadden's role as the team's No. 2 cornerback, and Doug Legursky replaced Pouncey.

There was no change in the Steelers' injury status from Wednesday to Thursday: All Pro safety Troy Polamalu (Achilles), wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (foot), left tackle Jonathan Scott ribs) and special teamer Will Allen (knee) all did not practice again, but Allen is the only one with an injury expected to be serious enough to put his status for Super Bowl XLV in question.

Defensive end Aaron Smith continues to be limited in practice participation, as he has been for the past three weeks. He has not played since tearing a triceps Oct. 24 and is not expected to be ready to face the Green Bay Packers on Feb. 6.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.