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Friday, December 14, 2001

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers (10-2) vs. Ravens (8-4), 8:35 p.m. Sunday, PSINet Stadium, Baltimore. TV, radio: ESPN; WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network.

RB Jerome Bettis was the only player on both teams whose health status has changed for the game. WR Hines Ward (ankle), who is listed as probable, returned to practice yesterday and appeared to have no problems running. Four other players who are listed as probable -- RG Rich Tylski (abdominal strain), LB Joey Porter (shoulder), ILB Earl Holmes (knee) and CB/PR Hank Poteat -- practiced and are expected to play. Even if Poteat is healthy enough to play, Cowher said he might continue to use Troy Edwards on punt returns. Edwards has returned three punts for 51 yards, and Cowher said he is close to breaking one. "It's his decision," Edwards said. "If he tells me to go back there, I'm more than happy to do it. But I respect Hank as one of the best return men in the NFL. [Cowher] must be telling me something that he has confidence in me."

Tommy Maddox, the No. 2 quarterback, was excused from practice because he was sick. He is expected to return when the team practices tonight at their UPMC South Side facility.

The Ravens, who are down to their fourth running back, expect to have RB Terry Allen (broken hand) back for the game. He is listed as probable. Allen has missed the past three games. When his replacement, rookie Jason Brookins, sustained a broken foot Nov. 25, the team had to use former Vikings RB Moe Williams, who rushed for 111 yards in his previous outing.

The Ravens also expect DT Sam Adams (arthroscopic knee surgery) and DE Rob Burnett (calf/hand) to play against the Steelers. Adams missed the previous game, and Burnett has not played in the past three. Each is listed as questionable.

How wide is rookie Casey Hampton, the squat 315-pound nose tackle? Ward and Edwards stuffed themselves inside a pair of Hampton's gym shorts and walked like Siamese twins around the locker room. Each player fit through one of Hampton's pant legs.

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, on running against the Ravens' No. 2 rush defense: "It's tough. They got two big guys clogging everything in the middle, and the rest of the guys cover. They cover the whole field. It's going to be rough."