Halfback Willie Parker expects to resume play Sunday when the Steelers visit Cincinnati, and revealed for the first time the true nature of his left knee injury -- it was a sprained MCL.

"Sprained MCL, that's what bothered me, my lateral movement and stuff," Parker said after practicing for the first time today since his injury on Sept. 21.

Parker said he's itching to return to action.

"I'm ready to play, man. I went out there today and my main focus was to getting timing down, just practicing so I can help the team out the best way I can Sunday."