<!--StartFragment --> <TR><TD class=newhead>STALEY SUDDENLY A DREADED GAME-TIME DECISION...</TD></TR><TR><TD class=byline>
.Written By Senior NFL Analyst Bob Harris | Posted Saturday November 6, 2004 @ 18:00 PT
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According to ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, the Steelers running game may have suffered a major blow on the eve of tomorrow's battle against the Eagles, after Pittsburgh unexpectedly downgraded Duce Staley to "questionable" on the official league injury report.Staley suffered what was considered to be a mild hamstring strain in Friday's practice. But when he arrived for the Steelers' walkthrough on Saturday morning, the hamstring was considerably sorer than the club's medical staff anticipated, and Staley immediately received treatment for the injury.
Pasquarelli added that team officials emphasized the hamstring injury was in no way related to, nor precipitated by, a knee problem that had been bothering the eight-year veteran.
A team spokesman told Pasquarelli that Staley's availability will be a "Dreaded Game-Time Decision."
If Staley cannot start, he will be replaced in the lineup by 12-year veteran Jerome Bettis, who has largely been relegated to short-yardage and goal line duties this season. Bettis has carried only 52 times in seven games, for 129 yards, with eight touchdowns.
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.Written By Senior NFL Analyst Bob Harris | Posted Saturday November 6, 2004 @ 18:00 PT
According to ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, the Steelers running game may have suffered a major blow on the eve of tomorrow's battle against the Eagles, after Pittsburgh unexpectedly downgraded Duce Staley to "questionable" on the official league injury report.Staley suffered what was considered to be a mild hamstring strain in Friday's practice. But when he arrived for the Steelers' walkthrough on Saturday morning, the hamstring was considerably sorer than the club's medical staff anticipated, and Staley immediately received treatment for the injury.
Pasquarelli added that team officials emphasized the hamstring injury was in no way related to, nor precipitated by, a knee problem that had been bothering the eight-year veteran.
A team spokesman told Pasquarelli that Staley's availability will be a "Dreaded Game-Time Decision."
If Staley cannot start, he will be replaced in the lineup by 12-year veteran Jerome Bettis, who has largely been relegated to short-yardage and goal line duties this season. Bettis has carried only 52 times in seven games, for 129 yards, with eight touchdowns.
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