Starting cornerback Bryant McFadden, who has missed the past six games with a broken right forearm, should return to play Sunday for the Steelers against the Dallas Cowboys, coach Mike Tomlin said yesterday.

Tomlin said the Steelers' injury situation involving starters is a good one, although defensive end Brett Keisel will miss another game with a sprained left knee ligament, and offensive tackle Marvel Smith will miss his eighth consecutive game with a back injury.

Keisel's replacement at right end, Travis Kirschke, "was the only in-game injury to speak of," Tomlin said. "He experienced some back discomfort; we will see where he is in terms of his practice availability [today]."

Tomlin said there has not been talk about placing Smith on injured reserve.

"No, that is not a question at this time," Tomlin said. "Marvel is a veteran player -- a high-quality person and player. If we have an opportunity to get a contribution from him as we move forward, then we, of course, are going to try to pursue that if we can."

Linebacker James Harrison, who had a hyper-extended back in Sunday's game in New England, is not on the injury report this week.

"James is fine; James is great," Tomlin said. "Based upon his performance in the second half, I don't think that we need to list him with the group of injured players."

Willie Parker does not grace Tomlin's list of injured this week after he ran for 87 yards in New England on 16 carries.

"It is not an issue and it is probably not 100 percent, either," Tomlin said of Parker's previously sprained knee. "That is December football. We expect him to be able to play for us. We need to do whatever we can to let him get to the game in the best condition that he can be in. Whether or not that includes a Wednesday practice remains to be seen."

Parker started in New England, then shared time at halfback with Mewelde Moore, who chipped in with 12 carries for 67 yards in New England. That rotation could continue.

"We will evaluate that this week," Tomlin said. "There is no doubt that that was a successful venture for us last week. Mewelde is a good player who has shown that he is capable of helping us win. We all know what Willie is capable of doing. I am sure that we are going to continue to see both of those guys in some fashion. The minute details of the rotation just have not been worked out yet for this week."

Tomlin said he did not throw the red flag to challenge the call on Lawrence Timmons' 89-yard interception return late in Sunday's game because "he was down in the field of play."

It appeared Timmons was going to score after he intercepted Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel and broke into the open field. But Timmons tired and was caught and tackled just short of the goal line by tight end Ben Watson.

"He fell in pieces," Tomlin said, to laughter at his news conference. "His knee hit and then his body hit."

Two plays later, Gary Russell scored from the 1.

The coach was not happy with two personal fouls committed by cornerback Ike Taylor for taunting and linebacker Keyaron Fox for pushing a Patriots player after a play Sunday.

"The self-inflicted wounds from a penalty standpoint, particularly the post-snap penalties, we don't desire to be that kind of football team," Tomlin said. "We have to correct that; I expect us to correct those types of things quickly.

"When you give up 15-yard chunks of real estate after the whistle is blown, that is not going to help you win football games against good people."