Steelers Update.

+With two games remaining a year ago, the Steelers had already clinched the AFC North championship at 13-1 and were a mere victory away from securing home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

This year, they're 9-5 and aren't guaranteed to qualify for the postseason, as a lowly wild card even if they win their final two games.

Still, inside linebacker Larry Foote is looking at the positives in a tenuous situation, particularly on the heels of a two-game winning streak during which the Steelers have dominated the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.

"I have a better feeling than last year," Foote said. "Last year we were struggling a little bit at the end. This year, we have that sense of urgency, that our-back's-against-the-wall approach.

"We have fighters in this locker room, people that don't want to go home. And we're not used to going home early."

+Offensive tackle Marvel Smith's upgrade this week from questionable to probable (ankle) for Saturday's game at Cleveland is a sure sign that Smith will have an opportunity to take out his frustrations on the Browns.

Smith is plenty frustrated after missing all but one quarter of the last five games.

"It's tough sitting back watching the team, not being able to go out there and contribute and help us win games," he said. "It was the toughest period I've been through in a long time."

+Linebacker Clint Kriewaldt (ankle), cornerback Chidi Iwuoma (ankle) and quarterback Tommy Maddox (illness) returned to practice on Thursday.