Steelers football blog

Back surgery rejuvenates Steelers' Marvel Smith

Marvel Smith may have been the happiest Steeler at mini-camp, and not because the practices got him out of lugging home the gifts his wife received Saturday at a baby shower in California. "Just to be back here playing football, I couldn't wait," the Steelers' left tackle and soon-to-be-father said. "Even my wife was talking about how I couldn't wait." It's easy to see why.

Smith is free of the pain that tested his unusually high threshold and prematurely ended his 2007 season. And he talked of the surgery that relieved pressure a loose piece of a disc had put on a nerve in his back almost as if it were a liberating experience. Continue

Healthy Clark sets sights on return to Steelers

It's not that he ever thought about dying. But during those days when the simple act of raising his arms caused him to wince in pain and those nights when a raging fever made him sweat so profusely that his wife would wake him every two or three hours just to change his pajamas, Ryan Clark had to wonder whether he would ever live as he once had -- and, naturally, whether he would ever play football again.

The sight of Clark at the Steelers' South Side practice facility is a welcome one these days, especially to those that visited him in the hospital last season, a group that included teammates, coaches and even team chairman Dan Rooney. Continue

Smith should be healthy for Steelers training camp

Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith, who missed the final four games of last season after tearing his biceps muscle against New England in December, should be at full strength for the start of training camp. Smith underwent surgery and is working out in Colorado, agent Peter Schaffer said Tuesday.

"His biceps muscle has been fixed. Our timetable is for him to be 100 percent for training camp," Schaffer said. Only two players have more tenure on the Steelers than Smith -- receiver Hines Ward and cornerback Deshea Townsend. Continue

Steelers' injuries mount

The new year came in much like the old went out for the Steelers: More key players lost to injuries. Out with the old, in with the less experienced. This time, it was new starting left tackle Max Starks whose season ended prematurely. He replaced old starting tackle Marvel Smith, who is out after back surgery. After starting the past two games, Starks came down with a torn meniscus in his left knee early in Sunday's game at Baltimore.

Also gone is special teams captain Clint Kriewaldt, who has had a persistent neck problem. Trai Essex, a third-round draft choice in 2005 who has been inactive most of the season, likely will start for Starks as the second-to-last tackle standing. The only other healthy tackle is Willie Colon, who starts on the right side. Continue

Steelers' Polamalu on track to start

Troy Polamalu talks to his uncle, Kennedy Pola, every week during the season. "He checks on me to see if I am healthy," Polamalu said. The answer Polamalu gives this week could be both good and bad for Pola. Polamalu, who has missed the Steelers' last three games with a sprained knee, practiced Wednesday and is on track to play Sunday when Jacksonville visits Heinz Field. The reason that news isn't entirely good for Pola: He is the Jaguars' running backs coach, and Jacksonville will have to contend with one of the best safeties in the NFL barring any setbacks. "I feel good now," Polamalu said. Now, however, is the operative word when it comes to Polamalu's health. Continue

Steelers lose DE Smith for rest of season

The Steelers might have a more difficult time overcoming the loss of Aaron Smith in New England than they do the Patriots' 34-13 victory Sunday. Smith, placed on injured reserve yesterday with a torn biceps, was among their best two or three defensive players, if not No. 1. Even coach Mike Tomlin admitted yesterday that Smith's absence might affect how they play schematically without their tower of strength at left end in their 3-4 defense.

"I'm sure it will, but more subtle [than] sweeping changes," Tomlin said. "We will put that together as the week moves forward." Rookie Ryan McBean, a fourth-round draft choice who has spent the season on the practice squad, was signed to the 53-man roster yesterday. But no one can replace what Smith has meant to the NFL's top-ranked defense. Continue

Steelers' Polamalu, Holmes to test injuries

Strong safety Troy Polamalu (sprained knee) and wide receiver Santonio Holmes (sprained ankle) will try to run today, but they might not practice. Neither played against the Miami Dolphins, but coach Mike Tomlin said he was "cautiously optimistic" that each would play Sunday night when the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals. "They are progressing well," Tomlin said. Continue

Steelers' Polamalu, Holmes unlikely to face Dolphins

The Steelers figure to be without two of their top players Monday night when they host the Miami Dolphins. Mike Tomlin said at his weekly news conference that strong safety Troy Polamalu (sprained knee) and wide receiver Santonio Holmes (sprained ankle) are doubtful for the 8:30 p.m. game.

"The reality is when you're talking about Santonio and Troy it's going to require multiple people to step up and fill the roles that they provide for us," Tomlin said Tuesday of the likelihood that the two won't play against the winless Dolphins. Continue

Seven Steelers sit out practice

Seven Steelers players didn't practice Wednesday, including wide receivers Santonio Holmes (quadriceps) and Hines Ward (coach's decision), free safety Ryan Clark (spleen), defensive end Aaron Smith (knee) and offensive tackle Marvel Smith (coach's decision). Fullback Dan Kreider (ankle) and tight end Jerame Tuman (back) also were out. Ward caught eight passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns Sunday against the Bengals, but he is still working his way back from a sprained knee that caused him to miss two games. Continue

Steelers' receivers Ward, Holmes to play

The Steelers will be as close to full strength Sunday as they have been in almost a month when they play the Denver Broncos in a nationally televised game. Wide receivers Hines Ward (knee) and Santonio Holmes (hamstring) and strong safety Troy Polamalu (ribs) are expected to play in the 8:30 p.m. game.

At his news conference Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Ward, who has missed the last two games, would practice today. He indicated that Holmes and Polamalu would do the same, saying, "They're fine." Continue

Steelers' McFadden 'ahead of schedule'

Cornerback Bryant McFadden has made enough progress in his recovery from a sprained ankle that the Steelers have given him the OK to return home to Hollywood, Fla., this weekend. McFadden regularly will ice his right ankle and do various exercises to strengthen it while he's away during the Steelers' bye week.

The Steelers practice Thursday and then are off until next week. "I'm told I'm ahead of schedule," McFadden said. "It feels pretty good." He said he's hopeful he will be ready to play when the Steelers face the Broncos Oct. 21 in Denver. Continue

Steelers hurting all around, yet off to 4-1 start

Luckily for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they didn't get any more receivers hurt while playing Seattle. If so, coach Mike Tomlin -- the former William & Mary receiver -- might have had to activate himself. With four key starters out of the lineup Sunday, the Steelers (4-1) really did have to rely on the most hackneyed of coaching cliches: the team effort. The surprise was the team they fielded while winning 21-0 very much resembled that which won each of its first three games by a three-touchdown margin.

"They don't put asterisks besides wins and losses," Tomlin said after the Steelers bounced back from their only loss, 21-14 at Arizona the week before. "Regardless of who is playing, we are the Pittsburgh Steelers."  Continue

Knee injury sidelines Steelers' Ward again

For only the fifth time in 10 NFL seasons, Hines Ward will miss a game because of injury. A sprained right knee will sideline Ward, the Steelers all-time receiving leader, for Sunday's 1 p.m. contest against Seattle in a rematch of Super Bowl XL at Heinz Field. Ward will miss his second consecutive start. "My knee feels good, but they don't want me to go. So there's nothing I can do about it," he said. Continue

Steelers' Ward hopes to face Seahawks

If the prospect of playing against the team he torched in Super Bowl XL isn't enough to make Hines Ward feel better about his right knee, a 30-minute workout on a Stairmaster sure did. After pushing himself and the knee he sprained in a Sept. 23 game, Ward sounded optimistic that he would play Sunday when the Steelers host the Seattle Seahawks. "I'm two weeks ahead of schedule," Ward said of his knee. "It's not 100 percent, I know that, but I'm close." Ward didn't practice Wednesday, and he got another MRI exam on the knee as a precaution. Continue

Polamalu, Hampton fit enough to play

Safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton, the Steelers' two defensive Pro Bowl players who left Sunday's game in Arizona with injuries, will return to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Heinz Field. "We expect both those guys to be OK," coach Mike Tomlin said yesterday.

Polamalu left the game with a strained abdomen and Hampton left with a hamsting injury. Tomlin said the only effect is they may be limited in some practices this week. There also was better news on Hines Ward's knee sprain, which caused him to miss only his fourth game in 10 years. "He had a good day of rehab yesterday," Tomlin said. "I spoke with him, he feels good, but we will take that day to day and see where he is. We'll do what is smart in that area. That decision will be determined later in the week." Continue

Knee injury has Ward out for Arizona

Hines Ward tried to take a philosophical approach to the fact he will miss the Steelers game tomorrow with the Arizona Cardinals due to a sprained knee, but there was no hiding his disappointment. Ward, who injured the knee this past Sunday against San Francisco, did not practice yesterday and was ruled out for the game by coach Mike Tomlin.

"You've got to be smart," said Ward, who has led the team in receiving the past eight seasons. "With the guys that we've got, there's no need for me to try and rush back. I've got confidence in the guys that are playing. I've got to look at the big picture. I don't want to have an on-going knee injury all year. This game means a lot but still you have to look at the big picture." Continue

Steelers' Ward hopes to practice Friday

Hines Ward is hoping his right knee responds well enough to treatment and exercises that he can practice Friday and play Sunday, when the Steelers visit the Arizona Cardinals. Ward sprained his knee in the Steelers' 37-16 win over the 49ers on Sunday, and he has improved enough that he has been able to ditch the crutches that he was using Monday. Ward, who played in 116 consecutive games before missing the Jacksonville game in 2005, badly wants to play against the Cardinals. The four-time Pro Bowler, however, said he will not risk further injury to the knee by coming back too soon. "I've got to be smart about it," Ward said. Continue

Ward has a sprained knee, is 'doubtful' for Sunday

Hines Ward is hopeful that he can play Sunday despite a sprained right knee that caused coach Mike Tomlin to say the veteran wide receiver is "doubtful" for the Steelers game against the Arizona Cardinals. "I'm going to try my best," Ward said when asked if he will play against the Cardinals. "You know me. I don't like missing games."

He played in 116 consecutive of them as a Steeler before missing the 2005 Jacksonville game with a bad hamstring. Ward, a four-time Pro Bowler, missed two games last year with a minor knee injury. Continue

Steelers' Ward injured, but keeps streak alive

Hines Ward extended his streak that also is a team record - but just barely. Ward caught one pass for 2 yards in the Steelers' 37-16 win Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers, giving him 136 consecutive games in which the four-time Pro Bowler has made at least one reception. Ward absorbed several hard hits and left the game with a leg injury. "Right now, it appears to be a bone bruise, and we'll just leave it at that," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Continue

Steelers' Harrison feels fine after injury

James Harrison practiced three days after being strapped to a board and carted off Heinz Field with a neck injury.

That shouldn't have come as a surprise, and not just because Harrison quickly returned to the Steelers' sideline during last Sunday's 26-3 win over the Bills. As medical personnel attended to him on the field and took extreme measures such as cutting the facemask off his helmet, Harrison didn't ask whether he would be OK or how badly he was hurt. He argued with doctors and trainers about going back into the game. Continue

Steelers' Ward treated for broken nose

Toughness has never been an issue with Hines Ward, which the Steelers wide receiver proved again Sunday. Ward broke his nose in the Steelers' 27-13 win over the Philadelphia but never mentioned the injury after the game.

He had minor surgery to correct the problem after the Steelers practiced Tuesday, team spokesman Dave Lockett said. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has not ruled out Ward playing in the Steelers' final preseason game Thursday night at Carolina.  Continue

Parker to make preseason debut on Saturday

The fact that Willie Parker got caught from behind by a pack of reporters is a testament to his obliging nature, not an indication that one of the fastest players in the NFL is still slowed by inflammation in his left knee. The Pro Bowl running back did have an escape plan when he walked off the practice fields at St. Vincent College on Tuesday after spending extra time catching passes from a machine.

"I was about to act like I was on the phone," Parker said to the reporters that successfully chased him down. Parker will play for the first time this season Saturday when the Steelers visit the Washington Redskins for an 8 p.m. preseason game. Continue

Parker says he's willing and able to get back into action

Willie Parker itches to return to the flow of the Steelers' offense and it could happen this week. Or not. Parker resumed practice Thursday when thunderstorms forced the Steelers indoors on the South Side. He says he's ready to take his position at halfback Saturday in Washington against the Redskins in the team's third preseason game. He's just not sure if the coaches are ready to put him in.

"I'm going to give it a little more [today]," Parker said. "I'm all right now."Parker was held out for two weeks of practices at Saint Vincent College after coach Mike Tomlin said he had slight swelling and pain in his left knee. Parker said the swelling isn't the issue as much as something else. He was vague on what that might be. Continue

Parker says knee is fine, practices

Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker practiced for the first time in nearly 10 days and said his knee is feeling fine, but he will not play in the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers tomorrow night and said he might not play next week in Washington, either.Parker participated in light drills yesterday afternoon, his first work since coach Mike Tomlin surprisingly held him out of practice July 31. But Parker said he is in no hurry to get back on the field because he wants to be sure he does not aggravate the injury.

"I'm all right; I'm not concerned," Parker said. "I overworked [the knee] a little bit, went too hard in the offseason, and, when I got here, my body slowed down because I went so hard. I was overdoing it on the practice field and I needed some rest, some preseason time, to get better." Continue

No surgery for Steelers' Timmons

The Steelers got good news when the foremost expert on sports hernias confirmed that the team isn't looking at a worst-case scenario regarding Lawrence Timmons. Dr. William Meyers determined that the rookie linebacker doesn't need surgery to correct a sports hernia, an injury that is perplexing to many doctors because it's a collection of different types of injuries. Meyers has surgically repaired sports hernias in several high-profile athletes, including Donovan McNabb, Grant Hill and Nomar Garciaparra. Continue

Aches, pains pile up

Ben Roethlisberger was limping toward the end of practice Wednesday after a teammate stepped on his left foot. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn't seem worried about his quarterback. "I'm sure he's fine," Tomlin said.

The Steelers didn't offer any more information, and they didn't appear concerned that Roethlisberger would be limited during practice Thursday or might not play in Saturday's exhibition game against Green Bay. Roethlisberger usually ends practice by signing autographs and chatting with fans, but he left the field immediately in a cart - apparently to have the foot checked. Continue

Faneca, Foote out with injuries

The Steelers were without two of their starters yesterday when they returned to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, including Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca.

Faneca sustained "shoulder difficulties? in the opening preseason victory Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints, said coach Mike Tomlin, and was held out of practice for precautionary reasons. Same with inside linebacker Larry Foote (sprained ankle). Continue

Parker misses another day of workouts

Halfback Willie Parker has swelling in his left knee and will not play in the Steelers' first exhibition game Sunday night against New Orleans in Canton, Ohio. Parker is unlikely to practice the rest of the week after missing consecutive days with slight soreness and inflammation of the knee.

Coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the extent of the injury and called it "training camp knee." "He's going to be fine," Tomlin said. "We're going to give him a little rest. When that thing calms down a little bit, I'm sure he'll be ready to get back out." Continue

Groin injury slows Timmons

After the Steelers' second practice of the day, outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons carried veteran James Harrison's shoulder pads to the locker room at St. Vincent College. He fulfilled his rookie duties, but he did little else Thursday afternoon.

The Steelers held Timmons out of afternoon drills as a precaution after he experienced what coach Mike Tomlin called a "twinge" in his groin. It happened during the morning practice, shortly after Timmons made the kind of athletic play that displayed why the Steelers made him the 15th overall pick in April's draft. Continue

Steelers' Reed to miss voluntary OTA practices

Wide receiver/return specialist Willie Reid has been bothered by his left foot and will be held out of the voluntary OTA practices that conclude next week as a precaution. "Right now, we're at the point where we just need to rest it a little bit and make sure it's all the way healthy for training camp," Reid said Tuesday. Reid suffered a midfoot sprain while returning a kickoff last October and missed the rest of the season. Reid, a third-round pick in 2006, said he didn't have any problems with his foot in either of the two minicamps the Steelers held in April and May. When it was a little tender following the Steelers' first OTA practice May 22, Reid and the training staff opted for the safe route, which means he won't run pass routes for the Steelers again until training camp. Continue

Steelers' Timmons reports progress on injury recovery

A nagging groin injury continues to limit linebacker Lawrence Timmons on the practice field, but the Steelers' first-round pick says he's close to getting back to full strength. "I know I'll be on the field soon, so I think I'll be just fine," Timmons said Tuesday after a voluntary practice at the team's South Side facility.

The outside linebacker injured his groin during the first day of minicamp a couple of weeks ago. Timmons said he "tweaked" it, and he hasn't participated in workouts during his first month with the team. Timmons said he and the Steelers have been cautious with the injury, so it doesn't hamper him later. Continue

Coach: Timmons frusturated with injury

Pacing impatiently on the sideline at Steelers' South Side practice facility Thursday, linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the team's first-round draft pick from Florida State, watches and waits for his pulled groin to heal. The injury he suffered in his first workout at the team's minicamp two weeks ago has kept him out of action -- and otherwise out of mind.

Timmons sat out his seventh consecutive workout yesterday -- a total that includes the four minicamp workouts he's missed since joining the Steelers. As the wait continues, so does Timmons' frustration level, linebackers coach Keith Butler said. Continue

Top two draft picks hit with minor injuries in practice

The Steelers' first two draft choices, linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley, were injured on the first day of minicamp and may not practice the rest of the weekend. Coach Mike Tomlin described both injuries as minor. He said the players will be re-examined this morning and there's a chance they could resume practice. Timmons, a first-round pick, has a groin injury and Woodley a hamstring injury.

Tomlin described the injuries as "typical -- rookies trying to make a first impression.'' He refused to label their possible absence from the rest of their first professional minicamp as much of a setback. Continue

Steelers looking at RB Haynes before draft

If the Steelers pick a running back in the NFL draft, it could depend of what kind of evaluation they make on Verron Haynes before this weekend. Haynes is working his way back from a season-ending knee injury sustained in a game last October against the Raiders. The Steelers released Haynes last March, but he has been rehabilitating his knee at the team's South Side practice facility. The fifth-year veteran has been a valuable contributor as a third-down back, and director of football operations Kevin Colbert said the Steelers have told Haynes they want to re-sign him if he is healthy for the start of training camp. "Verron's a big part of what we do." Colbert said. Continue

Starks, Clark will not face Bengals

Offensive tackle Max Starks and free safety Ryan Clark will not play Sunday when the Steelers conclude their disappointing season in Cincinnati at 1 p.m. Starks is out with a knee injury and Clark with a groin injury.

Also, linebacker Clark Haggans is doubtful with an MCL knee sprain, and his backup, James Harrison, is questionable with a shoulder injury. If neither Haggans nor Harrison can play, the Steelers could be in trouble. Those two and starter Joey Porter are the only outside linebackers on their depth chart. Continue

Carter's play masks Polamalu's absence

Troy Polamalu called his selection to a third consecutive Pro Bowl an "honor." Whether he actually plays in the Feb. 10 all-star game is another question. The same can also be said for Sunday, when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a game that has both playoff and pride implications. Polamalu, who has missed the last three games because of a medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee, has been upgraded from questionable to probable for the 1 p.m. game at Heinz Field.

The strong safety said Thursday that it is not certain he will play even though his knee is "coming along." "It's really a six-week injury," said Polamalu, who hurt his knee in the Steelers' 27-0 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 26. "Obviously, I'm pushing it by even practicing." Continue

Where baseball and basketball have remained the favorite games of teenagers, the tweens are taking on to golf, visiting golf galaxy more often than their old hockey houses. Many are seen strolling in their golf shoes long after their game is over.

Colon, Essex compete for right tackle job

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked a career-high nine times the last time the Steelers played the Baltimore Ravens, and he won't have one of his regular bodyguards for the rematch Sunday at Heinz Field. But the third-year quarterback can at least take comfort in one thing: Max Starks' likely replacement at right tackle isn't intimidated easily.

Willie Colon grew up in the South Bronx. Just as he didn't back down in his old neighborhood -- or from linebacker Clark Haggans when the two engaged in fisticuffs during training camp -- he won't willingly concede anything to the veritable bullies that comprise the Ravens' defense. "I'm going to go out there and fight like I've always fought for everything," said Colon, a rookie who has been on the inactive list for every game this season, "and we'll see what happens." Continue

Holmes, Smith to be in lineup vs. Browns

Rookies Santonio Holmes and Anthony Smith will achieve something tomorrow night they will never get a chance to do again. They will make their first NFL start. They likely will remember it for a lifetime. Although wrought by injuries, the starting assignments for the two rookies against Cleveland could be a peek into the future for the Steelers. Holmes replaces Cedrick Wilson at split end and Smith starts for Ryan Clark at free safety. Continue

Four injured Steelers to miss Thursday game

Coach Bill Cowher made it official today -- both of his starting wide receivers and both of his starting safeties will miss the Steelers' game Thursday night against Cleveland at Heinz Field. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee), free safety Ryan Clark (groin), and wide receivers Hines Ward (knee) and Cedrick Wilson (ankle) are listed as out. Replacing them will be strong safety Tyrone Carter, free safety Anthony Smith, and wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington. Continue

Washington steps in for Ward

Even without Hines Ward, the Steelers' passing game could still flourish against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ward, the AFC's eighth-leading receiver with 57 catches, will miss only his second start in nine seasons tomorrow after having arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his left knee Monday. That means Nate Washington, who has probably distinguished himself more for his drops than his catches this season, will make his first start against the Buccaneers. "It's kind of hard to see your leader go down, but I'm definitely very excited," Washington said. Continue

Ward has knee surgery

Hines Ward underwent surgery on his left knee Monday and will miss at least one game. Ward had to skip his weekly appearance on KDKA-TV, and he told the station he had to have a piece of bone removed from the knee he hyperextended near the end of the Cleveland Browns game Nov. 19. Roosevelt Barnes, one of Ward's agents, did not return several telephone calls Monday night. A Steelers spokesman said coach Bill Cowher would give an injury update today at his weekly news conference. After Sunday's 27-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Ward said he left the game in the third quarter because he re-injured his knee while running a route. Continue

Polamalu, Ward banged up in loss to Ravens

Troy Polamalu left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter with a knee injury that could be serious, Steelers coach Bill Cowher said afterward. Polamalu said he planned to have an MRI taken on his left knee last night. And the strong safety's knee isn't the only one that's a concern to the Steelers. Hines Ward re-aggravated the left knee he hyperextended during the previous week's game, and the wide receiver left the yesterday's game in the second half.

How much either of the injuries affects what essentially became a lost season following a 27-0 defeat to the Ravens remains to be seen. "I'm definitely optimistic about it," Polamalu said of his injury. Ward said he re-aggravated his knee while running a pattern. Presumably, the lopsided score factored into his decision not to return into the game. Continue

Ward practices as injured knee feels better

Hines Ward caught a short red-zone flip from Ben Roethlisberger and ran it for a touchdown near the end of practice yesterday, his first serious preparation for the Baltimore Ravens this week. Though he didn't participate in the entire practice and the Steelers continue to list him as questionable, the Pro Bowl wideout was at least moderately encouraged. "I pushed it, but I didn't push it to 100 percent," Ward said of the knee that was injured in the fourth quarter of the game at Cleveland last week.

"[Trainer] John [Norwig] taped it up like he would for a game, and I've been taking a lot of extra treatment, seems like 24 hours of treatment. From where I started Monday to where I was [yesterday], it's improved dramatically." Asked if the Ravens might target the injury tomorrow, Ward said, "Knowing them, probably so." Continue

Ward plans to be in lineup

Hines Ward won't practice until Friday -- at the earliest -- but the Steelers wide receiver is optimistic he'll be able to play in Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. "I'm going to do whatever it takes," the four-time Pro Bowler said Wednesday at the Steelers' South Side practice facility. "I'm walking so that's better." Ward took a shot to his knee late in the Steelers' 24-20 win over the Browns and hyperextended it. He watched practice yesterday and said he will do the same today as a precaution. Ward is listed as questionable for Sunday's 1 p.m. game.

"If I was a betting man," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said, "I'd put my money on him being out there." Ward said his knee has improved from icing it and the treatment he has received from the Steelers' medical personnel. Ward said an MRI taken on his knee showed no tears or any other structural damage. Continue

Polamalu certain he'll play

Troy Polamalu said after practice Friday that there is no doubt he will play Sunday in Cleveland. "Everything's as perfect as a newborn baby," he said. If that seems like an odd way to proclaim he is 100 percent -- the Steelers All-Pro safety suffered a concussion in last week's game against the New Orleans Saints -- Polamalu said cutting-edge technology has, in fact, revealed that his brain is as healthy as that of a healthy newborn.

Apparently, Polamalu's future has hardly been placed in question by a series of concussions dating to high school. "Although I've had a history (of concussions), my brain shows to be as if I had never had any at all," said Polamalu, who underwent a series of tests this week at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Joseph Maroon, a neurosurgeon who works for the Steelers, declined to comment on the testing. Continue

Polamalu gets OK to play

Troy Polamalu went through an entire practice for the first time this week without difficulty and, barring some type of setback, should play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. "He's gotten better each day," coach Bill Cowher said of his two-time Pro Bowl safety.

Polamalu, who sustained a concussion Sunday in the win against New Orleans, was expected to take another ImPACT test after practice that measures brain process, memory, and speed and motor skills reaction. He will take another test today and, unless there is some change in his condition, will start against the Browns. "It's a contact sport, no matter what position you're playing," Cowher said. "All the feedback we've received has been positive. If we're going to err, we're going to err on the side of caution." Continue

Polamalu plans to play against Browns

The Steelers' injury report lists Troy Polamalu as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. That might qualify as news to Polamalu. "I feel good," the All-Pro safety said after Wednesday's practice at the Steelers' South Side facility. "Good enough to go." That is good news for a banged-up secondary that was without Polamalu and starting cornerback Deshea Townsend in the second half of last Sunday's 38-31 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Polamalu suffered a concussion against the Saints after tackling Reggie Bush. He stayed in the game but didn't play after the first quarter, while a concussion and ankle injury also knocked Townsend out of the game. Townsend is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Polamalu had a series of concussions in high school and at Southern Cal but had never gotten one as an NFL player until last Sunday at Heinz Field. Continue

Injuries ravaging Steelers' secondary

Losing Troy Polamalu for a game would not help the Steelers' defense in the best of times. The way they have played lately, they would miss him more than the receivers who run free through their secondary.Coach Bill Cowher listed Polamalu as questionable for the game Sunday in Cleveland because of the concussion that knocked him out of the game last Sunday against New Orleans in the first quarter. To add to it, starting cornerback Deshea Townsend also is listed as questionable (ankle).

Polamalu has not missed a start since he took over the job at strong safety to open the 2004 season. He missed four games with a concussion that occurred in practice when he was a freshman in 1999 at Southern California, and he had as many as four other concussions dating to his freshman year in high school. Continue

Steelers banged-up secondary struggling

No sight better summed up the kind of game it had been for the defensive backs Sunday than a groggy Tyrone Carter making his way to the Steelers sideline near the end of it. Like Carter, the secondary wobbled but, ultimately, made plays when the Steelers had to have them in a 38-31 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Heinz Field.

Carter forced a fumble that free safety Ryan Clark recovered at the Steelers' 25-yard line with less than a minute to play. His hit on Saints wide receiver Terrance Copper preserved the victory that snapped a three-game losing streak, but it may have raised as many questions as it answered. Continue

Steelers' Polamalu leaves game with concussion

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu received a concussion during the first quarter Sunday against New Orleans and did not return to the game. Polamalu, an All-Pro safety last season, was hurt during a Saints touchdown drive that cut Pittsburgh's lead to 14-7.

He was examined by doctors on the Steelers' sideline and, while he was not taken immediately to the locker room, remained on the bench for New Orleans' next possession, with Tyrone Carter taking his place. At one point, after being examined by doctors, Polamalu leaned sideways and nearly tumbled off the bench. Later in the first half, the Steelers lost another starting defensive back, cornerback Deshea Townsend, with a concussion and an ankle injury. Continue

Injuries lead to 2 pickups

The Steelers acquired two players yesterday to replace halfback Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate knee ligaments.

The team claimed veteran linebacker Marquis Cooper off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings and signed running back John Kuhn from their practice squad. Cooper, drafted in the third round from the University of Washington by Tampa Bay in 2004, played 26 games in two seasons for the Buccaneers. He was active for one game with the Vikings this season. Continue

Haynes, linebacker lost for season

Their loss yesterday to the Raiders might have cost the Steelers a realistic chance to make the playoffs. It certainly ended the season for two of their players. Halfback Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison each left the game yesterday with knee injuries. "I think we probably lost Verron and Arnold Harrison for the year," coach Bill Cowher said. Continue

Big Ben appears ready to roll again at QB

Not only are the chances good Ben Roethlisberger will start in Oakland Sunday, he might even return to practice when the Steelers begin preparing today for the Raiders. "We'll see how he feels," coach Bill Cowher said yesterday.

After all, what's a little smack to the head by a 277-pound defensive end after you've been splattered all over Second Avenue? Roethlisberger keeps on ticking, through a broken face from his June 12 motorcycle accident, a Sept. 3 appendectomy and now a mild concussion from Sunday's game in Atlanta. Continue

Roethlisberger's head injury worrisome

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't saying if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sustained his second concussion in slightly more than four months. Roethlisberger was fit enough to fly home with the Steelers following their 41-38 overtime loss Sunday in Atlanta, and to drive his SUV to a team meeting Monday, despite being briefly knocked unconscious during a helmet-to-helmet hit with the Falcons' Chauncey Davis.

By definition, a concussion is a disruption of the brain's activities caused by a sudden blow to the head - much like the hit Roethlisberger absorbed while being sacked by multiple defenders. Doctors who have studied concussion patients have said some act and look fine within hours or even minutes of being injured, while others take longer to look normal. Continue

Head injury is latest setback for Big Ben

You can forgive Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for feeling a little paranoid. There's bad luck, and then there's Ben luck. That's when everything that could go wrong, the year after winning the Super Bowl, does go wrong.

For Roethlisberger -- who departed Sunday's game after suffering a head injury in the third quarter of the Steelers' 41-38 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons -- it was just another day at the office, another day in the whirlpool, another day of frustration.

Roethlisberger was having a great day, even better than his two-touchdown performance in a 45-7 victory last week against Kansas City. And then the bottom fell out. Or, rather, Atlanta knocked Roethlisberger out. For Roethlisberger, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in June and underwent an emergency appendectomy the week before the opener, leaving the game because of a brutal tackle was par for the course. Continue

Townsend sells Cowher on hamstring health

Deshea Townsend accomplished the near-impossible last weekend. He got Bill Cowher to reconsider. The Steelers coach reported to Heinz Field for last Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs convinced Townsend, who had been listed as questionable because of a cranky hamstring, wouldn't be participating. "My intentions were not to play him," Cowher said.

So sure was Cowher that Townsend would be unavailable that the Steelers had activated cornerback Jovon Johnson from their practice squad last Saturday. And, to do that, they had to release quarterback Brian St. Pierre from the 53-man roster. Continue

Simmons likely to return as starter against Falcons

Kendall Simmons is still enduring some of the minor nuisances of an ice burn on his right foot. Like, not being able to wear flip-flops in rainy weather. But, with the skin healing better than expected, Simmons was able to practice with the first-team offense and is expected to return as the starter at right guard tomorrow against the Atlanta Falcons.

"I'm fine," Simmons said yesterday after practice. "I'm ready to get back into it." Simmons did not play in the Steelers' 45-7 victory Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs after he got the equivalent of frostbite on his right heel when he left a cooling pack on his foot too long. He was replaced by Chris Kemoeatu, who made his first NFL start. Continue

Steelers' Simmons on ice, will miss KC game

The Steelers will be without another starter for tomorrow's home game against the Kansas City Chiefs: Right guard Kendall Simmons said he will not play because of an ice burn on his left foot.

Simmons, who did not practice all week, said he will be replaced by Chris Kemoeatu, who will make his first NFL start. Simmons has the equivalent of frostbite on his foot after he left a cooling device on too long to treat a heel injury while watching "Monday Night Football." "It's disappointing any time [the injury] is something that simple," said Simmons, who has been downgraded from probable to doubtful on the injury report. "It's more of a freak accident." Continue

Porter, Townsend hurt in practice

The Steelers practiced under cover yesterday because it rained, and then it poured injuries on them indoors. Linebacker Joey Porter and cornerback Deshea Townsend left practice with hamstring injuries and coach Bill Cowher listed them as questionable for Sunday's game against Kansas City. It wasn't the preferred start to a week of practice for the defending Super Bowl champions who are trying to snap a three-game losing streak.

"I'm good," Porter said before he headed to the trainer's room to have his left hamstring injury evaluated. "I'm going to find out right now. I don't know the situation.Glum was one way to describe much of the team's mood after the two injuries, although they did not express it outwardly. Adding to the problem of possibly losing a Pro Bowl outside linebacker, the Steelers already lost their top backup when James Harrison was ruled out this week because of a high ankle sprain. Continue

Reid gets his chance, then is hurt

The Steelers not only lost the game last night, but they lost the services of two players, perhaps for a while. James Harrison, their top backup at outside linebacker, and return man Willie Reid each were injured in the first half. Harrison has a high ankle sprain and Reid has a midfoot sprain. Coach Bill Cowher said both injuries could be "significant." Continue

Ward's injury just won't go away

The hamstring injury that kept Hines Ward out of every preseason game has improved, it just won't heal altogether, and the wide receiver predicted it will bother him the rest of the season. "My hamstring's not going to be 100 percent this year," he declared yesterday.

Ward is off to the slowest statistical start in his career, not counting his rookie season when he did not start a game. He has caught nine passes for 99 yards. That also ties his lowest three-game stretch since he caught four passes for 67 yards in 2000; he caught nine for 99 yards over a three-game stretch in the middle of 2004. Continue

Staley optimistic he'll play this season

Ask Duce Staley about the passion that has become a job, and his eyes light up and a smile creases his face. As it turns out, the running back's need for speed goes beyond the football field. Staley is the owner of the Catch 22 Motorsports team, and it will enter two cars in the National Hot Rod Association's Drag Racing Series in 2007.

When asked if he sees himself getting behind the wheel of one of his cars, Staley laughed. "I don't know yet," he said. "Let's save that for later." For now, Staley is squarely focused on a different kind of running. The right knee that has hobbled him for more than a year is feeling stronger every day, Staley said. Continue

Holmes misses another practice

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot) missed his second consecutive day of practice Thursday. Steelers coach Bill Cowher said, if Holmes doesn't practice today, he won't play against the Bengals on Sunday. Wide receiver Willie Reid would take Holmes' place on the 45-man roster.

"He certainly would be back there with Ricardo (Colclough) for kickoffs, and then, we'll see how it is with punts," Cowher said. Reid has been inactive for the first two games. Holmes was the only Steelers player who didn't practice yesterday. "I think I'll be all right to play," he said. "I'll probably be back practicing (today)." Continue

Polamalu hampered by shoulder injury

It was a play that could have changed the game. It was a play Troy Polamalu could have made, if only ... Second-and-five from the Jacksonville 13-yard line, Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich looked for wide receiver Reggie Williams on a flanker screen along the near sideline. Polamalu, the Steelers' All-Pro strong safety, anticipated the play, jumped the route and deflected the ball with his left hand but failed to intercept it.

That's how close a 3-0, fourth-quarter Jaguars lead came to turning into a 7-3 Steelers advantage."I reached out there with my right arm," Polamalu said Wednesday, the Steelers' first day back at practice following Monday night's 9-0 loss. "I think if I would have had maybe about three or four more inches, which I probably could have (if I were) healthy, but who knows if I would have even caught the ball, anyway, you know?" Continue