Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won't play more than a quarter in the Steelers' final preseason game tomorrow night against Carolina. Click photo for larger image.

The offense might not be in sync to suit coach Bill Cowher, but he's not willing to take the risk of injury for any benefit it might serve to keep his first team out there long tomorrow night in Charlotte, N.C.

The Steelers' first team will play one quarter against the Carolina Panthers and call it a night as Cowher reverts to form and uses the final exhibition game not as a tuneup but as something to be feared.

"You have to weigh the risk that is involved with going longer than what you anticipated going," Cowher said yesterday.

For years the Steelers coach played his starters briefly in the final game before turning it over to the backups. He changed that tactic in 2003, playing many starters well into the second quarter, but last year it was back to one quarter of work for the starters. He will stay with that plan tomorrow night.

"It is more of a gut feeling," Cowher explained, "still recognizing that we are getting ourselves prepared for the first game."

Even if the starters do not look crisp tomorrow night, "I will pretty much stick to the plan," he said.

Willie Parker will not play because, with injuries to Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis, Cowher does not want to expose what likely will be his starting halfback in the regular-season opener to further risk.

More cuts

The Steelers released four inexperienced players to reduce their roster to 71 for the final week of the preseason.

Three rookie free agents -- linebacker Arnold Harrison, defensive tackle Elliott Harris and fullback Zach Tuiasosopo -- were waived along with first-year defensive tackle Grant Bowman, who was on their practice squad last season.

Teams had to reduce their rosters to 65 yesterday, but the Steelers have exemptions for six NFL Europe players still on their roster. They must reduce their rosters to 53 by 6 p.m. Saturday, less than 24 hours after players on the brink get a final chance to make an impression on their coaches.

"This is a big game for a lot of guys," Cowher said.

"There are a lot of different combinations right now because you want to keep the best 53 football players. I am going to try to adhere to that, but with the understanding that you still have to factor in a lot of different elements in doing that."

Only the calf knows

Bettis wants to play in the Sept. 11 opener against Tennessee but only his right calf will know for sure if he can.

"No question, that's what I do. I'm a football player first, I want to be on the football field, make no mistake about it. If it doesn't allow me to and I can't then I won't, but no question I want to be out there."

Bettis has a strained calf muscle, which was injured in the first quarter Friday night against the Redskins when he tried to cut.

"It's the type of injury that doesn't allow you to come back if its not ready to," Bettis said. "So it's not one of those, 'Oh, I'm 70 percent I can go.' When you put that pressure on it, it's either going to fire or tense up. If it tenses up, it's a problem."

Bettis, the NFL's fifth-leading career rusher, does not care if people write off his career because of an early, minor injury.

"My career is pretty much almost there anyway, so I'm not worried about that. People can say what they want to say, but it's just about me going out there and proving my worth. That's what I've been trying to do since I've been here, and that won't change.

"The one thing I can say, people know, when I put my jersey on and the pads are on and the helmet's on, they know exactly what you're going to get out of 36 and that's what I'm proud of."

Enjoy the show

Although they will have to wait until Sept. 11 for his next show, even his teammates enjoy watching Parker run with the ball.

Sometimes the act gets in the way of doing one's job.

Admitted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, "It's hard for me when I hand the ball off to Willie to carry out my fake because I want to turn around and see what kind of magic he's going to pull out."

Quick outs

Defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen (back) did not practice, but Cowher did not rule him out for tomorrow's game. ... Defensive end Brett Keisel (ill) and rookie linebacker Andre Frazier (bruised leg) returned to practice after missing Monday. ... Antwaan Randle El has won the job to replace Plaxico Burress as the starting split end.