The Steelers signed rookie fullback Dan Kreider of New Hampshire to their 53-man roster off their practice squad yesterday. Kreider replaces Jon Witman, who was placed on injured reserve with a broken right leg and an ankle injury.
Cowher said they discussed keeping Witman on the active roster because "there would have been an outside chance for him to be possibly ready by the third week in January."
If the Steelers are still playing by then, they would be getting ready for the Jan. 28 Super Bowl. The conference championships are Jan. 14.
"But," Cowher said, "obviously given the circumstances, we put him on injured reserve. He should be ready to go in the off-season. He should come back fine.
"The [ankle] joint was fine, and the operation was successful."
Cowher said Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala will become the No. 1 fullback, but he did not discount Kreider doing the job at some point.
"He will hit you. He has the pure fullback mentality. He is one of those guys that if he never touches the ball, he will take great satisfaction in that."
Just because Fuamatu-Ma'afala will play fullback does not mean he will relinquish his role as their third-down back, Cowher said.
Back when John L. Williams was their fullback in 1994 and 1995, he remained in the game as their one back on third downs.
Witman to IR, Kreider signed 
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