Steelers banged up entering key stretch

From Call wire services

November 26, 2008

The Pittsburgh Steelers, unable to get their running game going recently without Willie Parker, may not have Parker or four other starters for Sunday's key AFC game at New England.

Defensive end Brett Keisel could miss three games with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Coach Mike Tomlin also doesn't know if cornerback Deshea Townsend (hamstring, doubtful), cornerback Bryant McFadden (broken forearm, questionable) and left tackle Marvel Smith (back, status uncertain) can play.

Smith has missed six games due to persistent back pain and Tomlin said Tuesday he remains ''status quo.'' Wide receiver Santonio Holmes sat out part of the Bengals game with a concussion, but is expected to play.

Parker is questionable due to left knee inflammation. He missed four games earlier because of a sprained knee and another with a shoulder injury, and the Steelers were 3-2 without him. Parker was held to 37 yards on 14 carries before his knee began bothering him again during a 27-10 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday.

The injury flare-up is occurring at the same time the Steelers' schedule is toughening, with the Patriots (7-4), Cowboys (7-4), Ravens (7-4) and Titans (10-1) upcoming the next four Sundays.

Redskins cut Alexander: Former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander was released by Washington on Tuesday after getting only 11 carries in five games. He was signed Oct. 14 after backup Ladell Betts sprained his knee in a loss to the St. Louis Rams. Betts has since returned and resumed the No. 2 role behind NFL leading rusher Clinton Portis.

The Redskins replaced Alexander on the roster by signing defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti, who adds depth to an ailing defensive line.

Smith, Woodson among Hall semifinalists: Bruce Smith, the NFL's career sack leader, and versatile defensive back Rod Woodson are among the four first-time eligibles who made the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two are tight end Shannon Sharpe and defensive end John Randle, on a list that will be reduced to 15 before the final vote Jan. 31 in Tampa, Fla., the day before the Super Bowl.

There will be 17 finalists in all, including senior nominees Claude Humphrey and Bob Hayes and from that 17, four to seven new Hall of Fame members will be chosen.

Cowboys' Romo hasn't shed splint yet: Dallas quarterback Tony Romo hasn't shed the splint yet. He hopes to soon play without a splint on his throwing hand, but the protective device was still covering his injured right pinkie Tuesday during the portion of practice open tod, d the media.

Romo said he expects the pinkie he broke Oct. 12 to be ''almost all the way healed this weekend, if not by Thursday,'' when the Cowboys (7-4) play Seattle (2-9).

It will be his third game since missing three games because of the injury.

Falcons extend contracts for Jenkins, Babineaux: Atlanta wide receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux received multiyear contract extensions Tuesday. Jenkins, a first-round pick in 2004, was given a four-year extension. Babineaux, a second-round pick in 2005, was given a five-year extension.

Texans put Green on injured reserve: Houston has placed running back Ahman Green on season-ending injured reserve after he hurt his left knee against Cleveland.

Green, 31, had 294 yards in eight games this season after gaining 260 yards while missing 10 games last year.

Colts' Lilja out for season: Indianapolis guard Ryan Lilja will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He missed the first 11 games this season. He was eligible to return to the active roster Monday, but will have surgery for the injury.