Hines Ward is still upset how his season-ending block on Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers is being portrayed, especially after an NFL executive said the hit, which was not penalized or fined, could be a penalty if the rules are changed next year.

Ward was so bothered he called a local radio station yesterday morning after the station played comments by Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations who visited the Steelers offices Wednesday to talk with several players, including Ward, about recent fines and penalties.

Even though he said Ward's hit was clean and did not merit a fine, Anderson said video of that hit would be reviewed by the NFL's competition committee to determine if that type of play should be illegal in the future. That irked Ward, who continued to vent his frustration in the locker room.

"When he went on to say my hit may not be a legal hit next year, it makes me think, was that really a legal hit I put on Rivers?" Ward said. "Yes, it's a legal hit, but it may not be a legal hit next year. So, in that instance, you're really saying that's a dirty hit."

Ward added: "Ray Lewis throws a block on [Chris] McAlister's 108-yard interception return, they highlighted a hit like that for Ray Lewis. Reggie Bush takes one back on a punt return, they highlight two other guys who got blocked on that. Hines Ward hits somebody, it's a fine.

"I didn't know they went back and said that. You didn't tell me that in the meeting that we spoke about, then you go out and make a comment like that. You're really saying my hit is dirty. It's funny, after my hit, it may be an illegal hit next year."

Ward said he sent a text message to Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, telling him to apologize to Rivers that his season was ended because of the injury. He said he did not hear back from Johnson.

"I apologized he got hurt, but nobody called [Rashard] Mendenhall when his shoulder got hurt. I feel extra sorry [Rivers] got hurt, but I'm not going to apologize for the hit. Nobody apologized to Mendenhall when Ray [Lewis] hit him."

Ward was referring to the Sept. 29 game against the Baltimore Ravens when Mendenhall, the team's No. 1 draft pick, was tackled by linebacker Ray Lewis and was lost for the season because the hit broke his scapula.

Injury report

Defensive end Aaron Smith was excused for the second day in a row for personal reasons and the team has not indicated if he will return today. Left tackle Marvel Smith (back spasms) still has not practiced and could miss his second game in a row.

Also, running back Willie Parker practiced for the second day in a row, but only on a limited basis. It is still not certain if he will play against the Giants because his sprained left knee is not fully recovered.

Ward, cornerback Deshea Townsend, defensive end Brett Keisel and running back Najeh Davenport returned to practice after being given off the previous day for non-injury related reasons.

Mendenhall makes appearance

With his right arm in a protective sling, Mendenhall was at the practice facility for what is believed to be the first time since he was injured against the Ravens.

Mendenhall's injury, which also is known as a fracture of the shoulder blade, is rarely seen in football and is more associated with blunt-force injuries sustained in motorcycle or car accidents. Scapula fractures represent less than 1 percent of all broken bones, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Web site.

Mendenhall, the team's No. 1 pick, has not had surgery to repair the fracture and is expected to let the injury heal on its own.

Safety added

Because of the injury to cornerback Bryant McFadden, who is expected to miss at least the next five games with a broken forearm, the Steelers have signed safety Grant Mason to the practice squad and released running back Justin Vincent. Nose tackle Scott Paxson, who was released Saturday to make room for guard Jeremy Parquet, was brought back to the practice squad earlier in the week.