Willie Parker and Casey Hampton, a pair of Pro Bowl players, were each hoping to return against the Cincinnati Bengals after missing the past two games with injuries.

They will have to wait another week.

Parker did not practice for the third day in a row and will be replaced by Mewelde Moore when the Steelers try to win their eighth consecutive game in Cincinnati tomorrow.

Hampton practiced on a limited basis yesterday, but he is not expected to play and will be replaced at nose tackle by Chris Hoke, who has played very well in Hampton's absence.

They will be joined on the sidelines by left tackle Marvel Smith, who did not practice all week because of back spasms. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Max Starks, who started four games at left tackle last season when Smith was injured.

After signing a one-year, $6.9 million tender as a transition player, Starks, a former two-year starter, has played only sparingly this season. When Smith was injured in Jacksonville, he was bypassed for Trai Essex as a replacement.

"One thing I've learned is you can't get emotional about anything," Starks said. "Emotion in this league leads to inconsistencies. It can be good one time, but not on a consistent basis. I'm just preparing to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, once again, in their home stadium."

After returning to practice Monday, Parker stepped in a hole while working out individually Tuesday, aggravating the sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Limas Sweed might not be the only rookie wide receiver to finally get some playing time in Paul Brown Stadium.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he might try to work two of his highly regarded rookie receivers -- No. 2 pick Jerome Simpson and No. 3 Andre Caldwell -- into the offensive lineup.

Simpson has appeared for only a few snaps in three games and does not have a catch. He was inactive for the other three. Caldwell has dressed for only one game but did not play. Caldwell might return kickoffs if Glenn Holt can't play.

Sweed will be the fourth receiver against the Bengals because Dallas Baker (shoulder sprain) will not play. Barring injury, Sweed likely will not get a lot of playing time because the Steelers have not used a lot of four-wide receiver sets.

"It's one of those things, you just have to be patient and just keep working," Sweed said.

"The more you work, the quicker it comes to you. But, if you take days off or chill around and don't take it serious, it takes longer to come."

Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson laughed the other day when he recalled some of the verbal battles he used to have with former linebacker Joey Porter. But he said he still jaws with some of the current players, especially Larry Foote, James Farrior and Ike Taylor.

Ike?

Apparently, Taylor might be the biggest trash-talker on the team, even outdoing the always verbose Foote.

"That's what y'all don't know," Taylor said. "Ask anybody on offense or defense."

As safety Ryan Clark walked by, Taylor grabbed him and said, "Who you think talks most on defense?"

Without hesitating, Clark said, "You."

"Ike talks a lot," said fellow cornerback Bryant McFadden. "Looks are deceiving. He talks a whole lot. I need to mike him up one day. "

Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison has decided to limit his opinions on a lot of matters, not just officiating. Getting fined $20,000 will do that to a player.

When asked if the effectiveness of the Steelers' 3-4 defense is based on the performance of the outside linebackers, Harrison said, "I don't know. I can't answer that question. I would state my opinion, and my opinion gets me fined. That's why I have no comment."

Asked about the performance of linebacker LaMarr Woodley, Harrison said, "I see him playing out there at left outside linebacker. Other than that, I'm giving my opinion and I have no comment."

Then, when asked about the Bengals' running game and running back Chris Perry, who has fumbled five times, he said, "Once again, that would require an opinion. I have no comment."