Apparently, the Steelers coaches saw enough deep pass completions over the past two games to make a change to the starting lineup.

Tyrone Carter will replace Anthony Smith at free safety.

The Steelers had allowed just one pass over 40 yards all season until they allowed three in the past two games -- of 63, 56 and 55 yards -- and Smith was involved in all three that went for touchdowns in losses to New England and Jacksonville.

"When you are a free safety, you have to stay deep," Carter said. "Anthony is a great player. He has great instincts, but he's young. He's still learning.

"When you're required to be deep, you have to be deep. Sometimes it gets habit-forming, to start biting on plays. I guess [the coaches] were fed up with it. But they're going to need him. It's just me, him and Troy [Polamalu]. It's nothing about his play; it's just thinking about what you're doing."

Smith moved into the starting job for the seventh game after Ryan Clark developed inflammation of his spleen in Denver, eventually had it removed and was placed on injured reserve.

Ike Taylor did not practice yesterday and had a noticeable limp two days after leaving the game against Jacksonville with a left knee injury.

Coach Mike Tomlin thought Monday that Taylor would be OK, but said the medical staff was not done examining him. If Taylor cannot play, Bryant McFadden would start.

Left tackle Marvel Smith also did not practice and likely will be replaced by Max Starks. Smith allowed several sacks against Jacksonville, but it turns out he was playing with a painful disk in his back -- a problem that has plagued him much of the season.

"Marvel is such a warrior, it was our fault for probably keeping him in there," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He wouldn't come out until he couldn't go any longer. That was probably a situation where we went with the warrior too long."

Linebacker Clark Haggans (knee) went through some drills, as did defensive end Travis Kirschke (knee). Those two starters' availability for tomorrow's game also is unclear.

Punter Daniel Sepulveda beat out more glamorous draft picks to win the Steelers' rookie of the year award today.

Sepulveda, a fourth-round pick, won the award in a landslide over the runner-up, linebacker LaMarr Woodley, the team's second-round draft pick who has three sacks.

Linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice, did not get a vote.

Guard Alan Faneca, who might be in his final year with the Steelers, won the "Chief Award" that is presented annually in honor of the team's founder, Art Rooney. The award recognizes the member of the Steelers' organization who best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media that was established by Rooney.

Both awards were determined in a vote by the local Pro Football Writers of America.

Sepulveda is the second punter to win the rookie award, officially the "Joe Greene Great Performance Award," in its 24-year history. Harry Newsome won it in 1985, the year after Louis Lipps won the first such award in '84.

Sepulveda is fifth in the AFC with a 37.7 average, tops among rookies. He has had 27 of his 59 punts end inside the 20, second in the conference by two but with 11 fewer punts to do it.

Parker still top NFL rusher

Willie Parker continues to lead the NFL in rushing entering the final two weeks with 1,317 yards. No Steelers player has won that title since 1946.

"It would mean a lot to me. I would lie if I said it didn't, but I'm not going to sit here and just hope [competitors] do 80 or 90 yards. It all depends on what I do, how I play. I have my future in my hands as far as that rushing title."

Playoff possibilities

The Steelers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend even if they lose to the St. Louis Rams. If that happens and Tennessee loses to the New York Jets at home, the Steelers will clinch a wild-card spot. The Steelers will win the AFC North Division with a victory and a Cleveland loss at Cincinnati.

Quick hits

Hines Ward leads the team with 66 receptions and is tied for the lead with seven touchdown catches. He needs 42 yards to surpass John Stallworth (8,723) as the team's career receiving yards leader. ... An overlooked Pro Bowl candidate? James Farrior leads the defense with 99 tackles and is second with six sacks.