By Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers safety Ryan Clark is recovering in a local hospital after having his spleen removed, sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today.

Clark's 2007 season ended when the Steelers placed him on injured reserve this week but doctors did give him some good news: He likely can play football again.

Clark, 28, showed little improvement since he was discovered with an inflamed spleen after he played in Denver Oct. 21. He was admitted that night to a Denver hospital, and doctors told him the problem with his spleen occurred because of complications from the exertion of playing football in the high altitude as it related to the sickle cell trait.

"It's a blood condition I have that I have to stay on top of, as far as going to high altitude and things like that," Clark said three days after the game in Denver. "Dealing with the weather, over-exertion, dehydration -- I just need to be smarter."

Clark said he had similar problems when he played for the Washington Redskins during a game in Denver, but that it was diagnosed differently then.

Second-year pro Anthony Smith started in place of Clark the past three games at free safety and will become the permanent starter.

As long as there are no more complications, Clark could return to play next season. He signed with the Steelers from the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent in 2006 after starting free safety Chris Hope left as a free agent to sign with Tennessee.