One Steeler who definitely won’t face the Broncos is safety Ryan Clark, who is being held out by coach Mike Tomlin because Clark has a sickle-cell trait that becomes aggravated when playing at higher elevations.
Clark is fine with Tomlin’s decision.
“I said, ‘OK coach,’ ’’ Clark said. “It wasn’t any fight . . . does he seem like a man who changes his mind anyway? I knew there wasn’t going to be any changing in that.’’
Center Maurkice Pouncey (left ankle) was also limited in practice, while linebacker James Harrison (toe), defensive end Brett Keisel (right groin), running back Mewelde Moore (sprained left knee), and safety Troy Polamalu (right calf) did not practice. All but Moore are expected to play against the Broncos.
Polian didn’t plan ahead
Bill Polian made one big mistake in Indianapolis: Not having an adequate backup for Peyton Manning.
It cost the Colts vice chairman and his son their jobs.
Polian told the AP that not grooming a replacement for the injured Manning was the primary reason the Colts collapsed this season, going from Super Bowl contender to the league’s worst record.
“I’ve always told the staff that our approach should be to hope for the best but plan for the worst, and I didn’t do an adequate enough job of planning for the circumstances we were in,’’ Polian said in a phone interview. “It led to this catastrophe.’’
When asked if he was referring specifically to finding a backup for Manning, Polian said: “Yes.’’
It’s the first time Polian has commented since he and his son, general manager Chris Polian, were fired Monday.
Dalton KO’d by flu
