OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Having survived one game without Elvis Grbac and Terry Allen, the Baltimore Ravens might have to try it again against the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers.

Grbac, the starting quarterback, and Allen, the team's leading rusher, both missed Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with injuries. Grbac is nursing bruised ribs and Allen has been hindered by a sprained ankle.

Although both are in better health after taking the week off, their status for this weekend's game against the Steelers remains questionable. Coach Brian Billick said Monday that the status of both players will be determined later in the week.

Some teams couldn't survive without their starting quarterback and first-string running back, but the Ravens remain undaunted.

That's because veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham and rookie running back Jason Brookins performed exceptionally well Sunday in an 18-17 comeback win over Jacksonville.

Cunningham went 7-for-7 in the fourth quarter and Brookins gained 77 of his 82 yards rushing after halftime as the Super Bowl champs ended a two-game skid and avoided the embarrassment of dropping below .500.

Grbac is still No. 1 on the depth chart, but his sore ribs are still giving him trouble. He hasn't thrown a football with authority since being injured in an Oct. 21 game against the Cleveland Browns.

"We'll see what comes tomorrow, and see how much work I can do Wednesday and Thursday," said Grbac, who limbered up Monday by throwing a softball a couple dozen times. "It all comes down to whether I can throw the ball or not, so we'll see how my arm feels as the week goes on."

Until he hears otherwise, Cunningham will report to practice Wednesday thinking he will start against the AFC Central-leading Steelers.

"That's how I prepare every week. If it comes down to me starting, then I'll go out and do my job," he said. "I continue to work as if I'm going to play. That's how every quarterback has to do it."

Making his first start with Baltimore, Cunningham was 23-for-31 for 222 yards and a touchdown. His lone interception came on a pass that bounced out of Brookins' hands.

The Ravens signed Cunningham as a backup in May precisely for the situation they find themselves in now. With Grbac ailing, Billick can turn to a 16-year veteran rather than hand the assignment to second-year player Chris Redman, who's thrown three passes in the NFL.

"Every team would love to have the luxury of having that veteran presence. That's why you pay for it, at a premium price nowadays," Billick said. "You've got to have that guy there, and we're thrilled and relieved that Randall was there for us."

The same can be said of Brookins, whose 2-yard touchdown run with 9:48 started Baltimore's comeback against the Jaguars.

Brookins, who is averaging 4.4 yards per carry, expects to see plenty of playing time against the Steelers -- regardless of whether he starts in the backfield or on the bench.

"It doesn't matter if I start or not. When they call on me, I'll be ready to play," he said.

Asked about facing the traditionally tough Pittsburgh defense, Brookins replied, "I ain't never played against them. I don't know if they're physical of not."

Brookins will be running behind a line beset by injuries. Center Mike Flynn is expected to play Sunday despite rupturing a tendon in his right thumb, and Edwin Mulitalo is nursing a sprained left ankle.

The Ravens hope to find a bit of stability for lineman Kipp Vickers, who played three different positions against Jacksonville.

Vickers started at right tackle, then moved to left guard after Mulitalo hurt his ankle. Then, after rookie right guard Bennie Anderson struggled, Vickers took over there.

"To have a guy like Kipp Vickers is huge. Few people appreciate just how difficult that is, to go from inside to outside, left side to outside," Billick said. "Kipp has held up real well."