From the time Plaxico Burress left the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2004 season, Hines Ward has been Ben Roethlisberger's go-to wide receiver.
That has changed with the emergence of Mike Wallace, the second-year wideout who leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches this season. And that's why Wallace will have a significant portion of the Ravens' attention when the Ravens visit the Steelers for Saturday's AFC divisional playoff game.
"We know he's good on the deep ball, and we know that he's a deep threat," cornerback Chris Carr said. "You can't sit on routes with him. If you play your technique, you have to know that when he's going, you have to believe it. If you don't sit on routes with him, I think you'll be fine. But he's an excellent player, and he catches the ball very well. You don't see him dropping too many balls. So he's one of those players you have to be really conscious of where he is at all times and really be conscious of the deep ball with him."
Wallace caught 60 passes for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns in the regular season. He led the NFL in 100-yard showings with seven, and his 21.0 yards-per-reception average ranked second in the league only to the Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson (22.5).
Cornerback Josh Wilson said containing Wallace is key, but he also emphasized that the secondary must stay faithful to the defensive game plan.
"One thing about this defense is you've got to play within the defense," Wilson said. "I'm not trying to go out there and make this a self-imposed showdown. I'm going out there and I'm playing defense. Whoever comes out there, I've got to play my responsibilities and do my job to hold up my end of this team."
The Ravens have done a fair job of limiting Wallace, who has not gained more than 84 receiving yards nor scored a touchdown against Pittsburgh's AFC North rival. In two meetings this season, Wallace has registered a combined seven catches for 100 yards while battling cornerback Lardarius Webb.
"Lardarius is very athletic," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "… He's playing with really good technique. He's been very disciplined. So if he can continue to grow and play that way, he should be fine
Carr questionable
Ravens cornerback Chris Carr expressed optimism that he will be able to play in Saturday's AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite a thigh injury.
But Carr did not practice Thursday and conceded that his status will be determined during pre-game warmups.
"If I don't feel good, then I won't go," he said. "But I feel like I will feel well enough on Saturday. Having today off and then tomorrow and the next day, and we don't play until 4:30. So that's good. So I feel like I'll feel good after that."
Thursday's injury report
In addition to Carr, center Matt Birk did not practice Thursday. Birk, who missed his second consecutive day of practice, did not practice Wednesday because of a left knee injury, but he did return on Thursday and Friday and did play in the Ravens' 30-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday's AFC wild-card round.
Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth, who sat out Wednesday's session due to illness, was back, and he fully participated. Both safety Tom Zbikowski (bulging disk in back) and linebacker Tavares Gooden (dislocated left shoulder) practiced fully for the second straight day.
Chester doesn't expect retaliation
Saturday's game will bring together Ravens right guard Chris Chester and Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison for the first time since Harrison and several of his Pittsburgh teammates accused Chester of intentionally trying to hurt Harrison.
After the Steelers' 13-10 win against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 5, several Pittsburgh players insisted that Chester deliberately tried to injure Harrison when the offensive lineman shot forward during an extra-point attempt and crashed into Harrison.
Chester, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, said he's not concerned that the Steelers might target him for retaliation.
"In my mind, I'm not worried," Chester said after Thursday's practice. "It's all said and done with."
Shurmur linked to Harbaugh
The AFC North's newest coach knows Harbaugh very well.
Pat Shurmur, who was hired by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, spent 10 years together with Harbaugh on the Philadelphia Eagles' coaching staff (1999-2008). Harbaugh was the Eagles' special teams coach for a majority of his time in Philadelphia, and Shurmur coached the quarterbacks.
Harbaugh remembers taking a lot of long runs with Shurmur around the South Philadelphia area.
"We talked a lot of ball over the years," Harbaugh said. "We probably know each other pretty well."
End zone
The Steelers welcomed back Troy Polamalu (Achilles). The starting strong safety practiced fully after missing Wednesday's session. Starting cornerback Bryant McFadden (abdomen) was also upgraded from limited to full participation. Starting defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) was limited for the second consecutive day. … Harbaugh said he has no problems with shaking the hand of Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward before Saturday's game. Last month, Ward created a stir when he said Harbaugh had given him a "fake handshake" earlier in the season. Harbaugh said he looked for Ward before the Dec. 5 game, but he couldn't find him. "I'm not opposed to shaking anybody's hand before the game," Harbaugh said. "I'm looking forward to it." … Harbaugh was asked if he had any reaction to outside linebacker Terrell Suggs' T-shirt, which featured a purple Raven offering a one-fingered salute to Steelers fans. "No," Harbaugh said. "No reaction."
Baltimore Sun writer Jamison Hensley contributed to this article.