A press roller is provided which permits adjustable bowing under load. The press roller has a hollow, rotatable roller casing through which a stationary cross head extends. A semi-circular pressure chamber is formed between the cross head and the roller casing. In this chamber, two annular pistons are provided which rest on one end surface of the inner surface of the roller casing and are guided in a sealing manner in recesses in the cross head. To prevent bending oscillations by the cross head, the annular pistons enclose substantially rigid fluid cushions which are isolated from one another.