Tackle Marvel Smith may have played his last game for the Steelers, and it occurred long before Halloween.

The Steelers finally placed Smith, who has not dressed for the past 10 games, on injured reserve yesterday. They signed offensive tackle Jason Capizzi from the St. Louis Rams' practice squad to replace him on the roster.

Smith left the Oct. 5 game in Jacksonville in the fourth quarter for what was then described as cramps. It turned out to be another lower back issue that coach Mike Tomlin said did not pertain to his lower back surgery last December. He has not played nor practiced since.

Smith, 30, is in the last year of his contract and would become an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers drafted him in the second round from Arizona State in 2000, and he made the Pro Bowl in the 2004 season. He ranks 13th among all potential free agents, according to scout.com. Max Starks has started the past 10 games for Smith.

"Max has done a solid job," Tomlin said. "You know what goes with playing left tackle in this league. The challenges are many week in and week out. He stood up well for us and gave us the kind of production that we need to win games."

Capizzi, signed as an undrafted rookie from IUP by the Steelers in 2007, was on a handful of NFL practice squads last season, including theirs. The Steelers signed him to their 53-man roster for the playoff game against Jacksonville, then released him before this season began. He has been on the Rams' practice squad since Oct. 28.

The Steelers will hold their annual locker-room blood drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Heinz Field. Current and former players will be on hand to meet donors. Those who call 412-209-7080 for an appointment will be eligible for a drawing for two tickets to the Steelers-Cleveland Browns game Sunday at Heinz Field.

Willie Parker has averaged only 2.3 yards per carry over the past three games, gaining 101 yards on 44 carries. Tomlin put the fault on everyone.

"I think that anybody that you talk about on our football team, in terms of what they are doing, it is a function of all of us collectively; players and coaches. His production is among the examples. Would we like him to be having more success? Absolutely. But we all take ownership of that; players and coaches."

Bruce Gradkowski has started 11 games in the NFL. Sunday, the Pittsburgh native will start his second in Heinz Field.

He won't want to remember his first. Gradkowski, a Seton-LaSalle High School graduate, will become Cleveland's fourth starter at quarterback when the Browns play the Steelers in the regular-season finale. Two years ago, he started for Tampa Bay in Heinz Field as a rookie and threw three interceptions and was sacked five times.

The Steelers won, 20-3.

It could be rougher this time for Gradkowski because the Steelers have a better team than they did two years ago and the 4-11 Browns have not scored an offensive touchdown in five games.

"I think that when you are playing with your third and fourth quarterback it is significant," Tomlin said. "Significant enough to be a difference in the outcome of a football game? Maybe not. We better be solid in all areas to get the kind of performance that we are looking for."

Tomlin, who gave his team the day off last Christmas, will make them come to work today and tomorrow, with only a slightly altered schedule. They will report at 11 a.m. tomorrow and work through the end of practice, 3:30.

"What we are doing is we are providing everybody the opportunity to spend their mornings at home. We realize that is a special part of the day, especially for those who have children. Then we intend to have everyone home in time for dinner. But between that we are going to get ourselves a normal Thursday's work day in. I think our fans would appreciate that and I know that is what we need to do."