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Steelers Put Parker On Injured Reserve

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A Tribune wire report

Published: December 25, 2007

Updated: 12/24/2007 11:11 pm

PITTSBURGH - Willie Parker, the NFL's leading rusher when he broke his right leg Thursday night in St. Louis, was officially lost for the season when the Pittsburgh Steelers placed him on the injured reserve list Monday.

Parker underwent surgery on his broken fibula, but is expected to return next season, Coach Mike Tomlin said.

To replace Parker on their roster, the Steelers re-signed Verron Haynes, primarily a third-down back for them from 2002-06.

Parker's injury likely cost him a chance to be the Steelers' first NFL rushing champion in 61 years, or since Bill Dudley in 1946. Parker was hurt making a cut on his first and only carry during Pittsburgh's 41-24 victory in St. Louis.

Parker led San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson 1,316 yards to 1,311 yards, but Tomlinson had games remaining Monday night against Denver and Sunday against Oakland.

BILLS: Left tackle Jason Peters will miss Buffalo's season finale at Philadelphia on Sunday because of a groin injury that could also keep him from playing in the Pro Bowl in February.

BROWNS: Starting nose tackle Ethan Kelly and backup safety Mike Adams were placed on injured reserve with knee injuries.

Kelly left in the first quarter of Sunday's 19-14 loss at Cincinnati and did not return. Adams came out in the fourth quarter.

This is the third straight season that Kelly has ended up on IR.

Adams, who spent the past three seasons with San Francisco, has played mostly special teams with the Browns.

LIONS: A torn knee ligament will keep running back Kevin Jones out of the team's final game this weekend and could sideline him until the start of training camp.

Tests revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Jones' right knee. He was injured late in the first half of Sunday's 25-20 victory over Kansas City after being tackled on a short reception.

Coach Rod Marinelli wasn't sure of the extent of the tear or whether it will need surgery.

PANTHERS: Center Justin Hartwig sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in a loss to Dallas and will miss the final week.

Coach John Fox said the team plans to place Hartwig on injured reserve and sign another player, although the move will likely not be made until Wednesday. Rookie Ryan Kalil replaced Hartwig in the third quarter against the Cowboys on Saturday and will likely start on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

RAIDERS: Rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 pick in April's draft, will make his first start Sunday in Oakland's season finale against the Chargers.

RAVENS: Willis McGahee will miss the season finale against the Steelers with two fractured ribs, an injury that further thins an already depleted roster. McGahee was hurt in Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

SEAHAWKS: Patrick Kerney has a chance to finish as the NFL's leader in sacks, and to do it against his former team.

Kerney is on the cusp of doing that for the first time entering Sunday's game between NFC West champion Seattle (10-5) and the now-flopping Falcons (3-12).

"It'd be great to put in a good performance there. Those fans in Atlanta supported me for eight years, and I still have a lot of friends there," said Kerney, who has a career-high 14 1/2 sacks.

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