Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Duce Staley says his hamstrig injury happened when he was punched after a run Oct. 31 against the Patriots. Click photo for larger image.

It wasn't a pulled hamstring that kept Duce Staley from playing the past three games. It was a bruised hamstring, caused by a punch to the back of the leg by an unnamed New England Patriots player.

Staley said someone -- he does not know who -- punched him in his hamstring after a 10-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter Oct. 31 at Heinz Field. Jerome Bettis came into the game to replace Staley, who finished with 125 yards on 25 carries.

Bettis had 65 yards on 15 carries in that 34-20 victory, which ended the Patriots' 21-game winning streak. Bill Cowher listed Staley as probable for the Steelers' game against the Philadelphia Eagles Nov. 7.

Staley felt a twinge in his hamstring late in practice Nov. 5. Cowher then changed Staley's status to questionable the next day and Staley has not played in the past three games.

He visited a doctor near his home in South Carolina Friday to get a second opinion on his bruised hamstring and it confirmed what doctors here contend -- that the bruise is improving and he may be able to play soon. Apparently, blood from the contusion seeped into the hamstring, causing the problems for Staley.

"I've never had hamstring problems before," Staley said.

In his absence, Bettis rushed for 381 yards in the past three games, but said the job is Staley's when he's healthy. That could happen this week.

"We're hopeful to have him next week," Cowher said Sunday.

A leg up

Chris Gardocki had one of his better games punting, although it did not show in his average of 40.1 yards.

He punted seven times and dropped five inside the 20 and had a long of 52. The Bengals returned just three of his punts for 11 yards. After three of his punts, the Bengals started drives from their 6, 2 and 9 -- with the last two ending in scores by the Steelers' defense on James Farrior's interception return and a safety.

Quick outs

The safety the Steelers scored in the fourth quarter was their first in four years. Carson Palmer was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone, an automatic safety. The Steelers' previous safety also came against the Bengals when Joey Porter sacked quarterback Scott Mitchell in the end zone at Three Rivers Stadium in 2000.

The Steelers remain ranked No. 1 in overall defense (second against the rush, fifth against the pass). They are 16th overall on offense (second rushing, 25th passing) and eighth in scoring.

Ben Roethlisberger remains third in the AFC with a 101.6 passer rating and is first with a completion rate of 68.8.

Hines Ward is tied for third in the AFC with 57 receptions, five off the leaders.

Antwaan Randle El will host his second annual holiday food drive by collecting non-perishable food items at Dick's Sporting Goods at The Mall at Robinson from 3-7 p.m. today.