Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El could play Thursday. Click photo for larger image.

Antwaan Randle El, whose calf was injured in a preseason game Thursday at Philadelphia, is not expected to miss much time and could play Thursday night in the Steelers' preseason finale against Carolina.

Randle El, the team's No. 3 wide receiver, did not participate in a 90-minute practice yesterday morning at the Steelers' South Side training facility, but it was more of a precautionary measure.

Running back Duce Staley had ice on his knee and also did not practice as a precautionary measure.

The players are off today and won't resume practice until tomorrow.

However, inside linebacker Kendrell Bell (arthritic shoulder), who did not play against the Eagles, took part in the entire practice and is expected to play against the defending NFC champion Panthers.

Linebacker Clark Haggans, who resumed practicing last week, is expected to make his first appearance of the preseason on Thursday.

Backup nose tackle Kendrick Clancy (calf) still has not returned to practice and likely won't play.

Another cut

The Steelers released rookie tight end Bobby Blizzard, an undrafted free agent, reducing their roster to 77 players. They have to get down to 71 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Blizzard, 6 feet 4 and 272 pounds, played two seasons at North Carolina after transferring from Kentucky.

Rules change helpful

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress is hopeful officials will continue to enforce the contact rule that restricts defensive players from bumping, pushing and grabbing receivers beyond 5 yards.

Burress was the benefactor of two such interference calls against the Eagles, including one in the end zone that gave the Steelers possession at the Philadelphia 1.

"A lot of defensive backs are going to get themselves in trouble with doing that because they're cracking down on it a little bit more," Burress said. "For the last three or four years I've been getting the Shaquille O'Neal treatment a little bit -- I'm so big, I don't really get a lot of the calls. But it seems they're going to stick to what they said.

"I hope they do. For us, you probably won't see a lot of man-to-man [coverage] because of the new rule. It's going to help us out a lot."

Looking ahead

Guard Keydrick Vincent, who has replaced Kendall Simmons (knee/injured reserve) in the starting lineup, was a restricted free agent last season and re-signed with the Steelers for a one-year tender.

Vincent will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2004 season and may opt to leave for a possible starting position.

"I feel like I can start in this league and I really want to run with it," said Vincent, an undrafted free agent in 2001. "Here, we got two great guards, but you never know what's going to happen."