Pittsburgh — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is wearing a protective boot on his sprained right foot but is expected to play Sunday when Pittsburgh and Baltimore face off for first place in the AFC North.

Roethlisberger re-injured the foot during a 19-16 overtime win in Buffalo last Sunday. He didn’t leave the game and had an 18-yard run while scrambling after getting hurt.

Roethlisberger may not practice today, but coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic the quarterback will play despite some pain and discomfort.

“He might be limited somewhat,” Tomlin said Tuesday of Roethlisberger’s practice status. “I’m going to be optimistic and hopeful that he’ll be a full participant, but there’s a chance he couldn’t be.”

Pittsburgh’s Harrison fined … again

Pittsburgh — Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined $25,000 on Tuesday for his penalized hit on Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Harrison has four fines this season totaling $125,000.

Harrison drew a roughing-the-passer penalty for hitting Fitzpatrick helmet-first during Pittsburgh’s 19-16 overtime victory Sunday.

“James Harrison was fined $25,000 for roughing the passer, specifically he made helmet contact to the chest of the Buffalo quarterback, who was in a defenseless position at the time the contact was made,” the NFL said in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press.

49ers place RB Gore on IR

Santa Clara, Calif. — Frank Gore’s season is over — and what a hit for the San Francisco offense.

The 49ers placed their star running back on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday. Gore fractured his right hip during the Niners’ 27-6 win at Arizona on Monday night and was scheduled to undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury. The team made the announcement less than two hours after Mike Singletary’s weekly news conference, then released a statement from the coach.

Full refunds offered in event of lockout

New York — The NFL will offer full refunds to fans with general admission tickets if games are canceled next season because of a lockout.

Each team will determine its policies for club seats, suites and payments for personal seat licenses, the league said Tuesday.

Season ticket holders can choose to receive a refund or credits toward future games. Fans with individual game tickets can receive a refund or exchange the tickets for future games, with some restrictions.

Refunds will be paid within 30 days once the NFL determines how many games will be played in 2011.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires in March, raising fears that a lockout may disrupt at least part of the preseason and regular season.

Green Bay, CB Williams agree

Green Bay, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have agreed to a contract extension with cornerback Tramon Williams.

Agent Rodney Williams called it a fair deal for both sides, given the current uncertainty over the NFL’s labor situation.

Williams is a fourth-year player out of Louisiana Tech.

Williams’ agent did not disclose terms of the deal, which was reported on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s website earlier Tuesday. According to that report, the deal is worth $33.074 million and extends through 2014.