Hines Ward say's he'll be ready this week. (1 Viewer)

[Godsbrother]

Bill Cowher has his press conference later this afternoon so we'll get an updated injury report then. Until then, we have Ward saying that he's going to play:

Ward says he'll be ready to start at Carolina

Also predicts that Polamalu will play

Monday, December 11, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two weeks ago today, a surgeon pulled a bone fragment and loose cartilage out of Hines Ward's knee, another bump in a rocky road for the defending Super Bowl champs.

Neither that road, nor his play has come to an end, Ward said, because he plans to return to the starting lineup Sunday when the Steelers visit the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.

And he predicted Troy Polamalu will join him.

"Troy and myself, we want to come back," Ward said. "There are three games left."

Ward and Polamalu are among the ironmen on the Steelers. It's the first time Ward has missed two consecutive games and just three total in his nine-year career. Polamalu missed the first two games of his four-year career with a second-degree MCL knee sprain.

Between them, they have been to six Pro Bowls, and Ward is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and owns the Steelers' record with 631 pass receptions.

Polamalu continues to lead the fan-balloting at strong safety and, Ward, after a slow start, was back in Pro Bowl form at flanker. He has 57 receptions and six touchdowns in his 11 games, and his 13.8-yard average per catch is the third highest since he became a starter in 1999.

Ward's knee was hyperextended at Cleveland Nov. 19. He started the following week in Baltimore and caught four passes before his new injury developed. He was taken out of the game and had surgery the next morning.

"They took out some bone fragments that broke, and cleaned up some loose particles," Ward said. "It was just an extra piece of bone that was there, it's not like I needed it. While they were in there, they cleaned it all up. I shouldn't have a problem, it feels good, and the swelling's going down."

He planned to start running over the weekend. Ward said he could have played against the Cleveland Browns if the game were yesterday rather than Thursday.

"In the long run, I need to feel a lot better now and in the next couple of years."

After he caught just nine passes for 99 yards in the first three games, Ward heard whispers that he was either hitting a wall at age 30 after eight punishing years as the most physical wide receiver in the NFL or that his success had somehow made him fat. He even dropped a couple of passes, a rarity.

But the Steelers had fewer than 200 yards passing in each of the first four games, and Ward halted further talk of his play as he hit stride in October. Over a stretch of five games, he caught 35 passes for 546 yards and five touchdowns that ended with him being helped off the field at the end of a comeback victory in Cleveland with a hyperextended knee.

No matter how coach Bill Cowher lists him on the injury report this week, Ward has no doubt he will play against the Panthers Sunday.

"It's just a pride thing," Ward said. "It stinks being on the sideline, it eats at you.

"Playing Cleveland and Tampa Bay, there was no need [to rush back], those are teams we're supposed to beat. Now we have a stretch coming down to Carolina -- a lot of people picked them to win the Super Bowl -- and then Baltimore and Cincinnati to finish out.

"We're still mathematically in this thing, and we're going to take it one game at a time. We're getting 10 whole days until we play our next game."

The Steelers would have to win all three to go 9-7 and, even then, their playoff chances look bleak with five other teams ahead of them for the two AFC wild-card playoff spots.

No matter, there are games to be played, and Hines Ward wants to be part of them.

 

[schlesinj]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Godsbrother]

Bill Cowher officially listed Troy Polamalu as doubtful for this week's game at Carolina and Hines Ward as questionable. Cowher said that the players have had three days off and will come in tomorrow so he'll have a better idea of where they stand later in the week.

Also listed as doubtful are S Mike Logan (hamstring) and WR Cedrick Wilson (high ankle sprain). S Ryan Clark, who missed last week, is questionable.

One thing of interest: Cowher was asked who would get the start if Ward was able to play. Cowher said that if Ward comes back then Nate Washington would move back into his 3rd WR role and Santonio Holmes would be making his second career start opposite of Ward.

 

[SteelerMurf]

Santonio Holmes would be making his second career start opposite of Ward.

 

[(HULK)]

 

[-OZ-]

 

[shuke]

 

[Godsbrother]

From today's Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

Ward runs

Ward, who missed the past two games after knee surgery, ran but did not practice yesterday.

"Today was just a confidence booster for me. I'll be ready to practice tomorrow."

The Steelers have an extra practice this week because they usually do not work on Tuesdays. Coach Bill Cowher gave the players four days off after they beat Cleveland, 27-7, Thursday.

Polamalu, Hartings, Mike Logan and Cedrick Wilson also did not practice. Ryan Clark, listed as questionable, did.

 

[MU Seminole]

Great job. As always, thanks for the PIT info.

 

[paz1]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_484074.html

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward returned to practice Wednesday and said he will definitely play against the Panthers. Cedrick Wilson, the Steelers' other starting wide receiver missed practice because of an ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful. Safety Mike Logan (hamstring) also missed practice and is doubtful. Center Jeff Hartings (knee) is probable. Panthers starting cornerbacks Chris Gamble (thigh) and Ken Lucas (thigh) missed practice yesterday, as did tight end Kris Mangum (hip), running back Nick Goings (shoulder) and wide receiver Taye Biddle. All are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Bump the Steelers passing game?

 

[jpeace121]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_484074.html

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward returned to practice Wednesday and said he will definitely play against the Panthers. Cedrick Wilson, the Steelers' other starting wide receiver missed practice because of an ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful. Safety Mike Logan (hamstring) also missed practice and is doubtful. Center Jeff Hartings (knee) is probable. Panthers starting cornerbacks Chris Gamble (thigh) and Ken Lucas (thigh) missed practice yesterday, as did tight end Kris Mangum (hip), running back Nick Goings (shoulder) and wide receiver Taye Biddle. All are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Bump the Steelers passing game?

Starting to think about putting Ward in over my other options (not listing them to keep this from being a WDIS post).

 

[Godsbrother]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_484074.html

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward returned to practice Wednesday and said he will definitely play against the Panthers. Cedrick Wilson, the Steelers' other starting wide receiver missed practice because of an ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful. Safety Mike Logan (hamstring) also missed practice and is doubtful. Center Jeff Hartings (knee) is probable. Panthers starting cornerbacks Chris Gamble (thigh) and Ken Lucas (thigh) missed practice yesterday, as did tight end Kris Mangum (hip), running back Nick Goings (shoulder) and wide receiver Taye Biddle. All are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Bump the Steelers passing game?

Nate Washington and Santonio Holmes have really improved this year. With Ward back I think they are actually a better unit without Wilson. The Steelers passing game will all depend on how well their offensive line can protect. The Panther's strength is their front four, if the o-line can give Roethlisberger time the Steelers will be able to make some be plays downfield.

 

[paz1]

Of course then I read this on the blogger...

looks like Lucas is a go now.

The Panthers banged-up secondary got some good news Thursday when starting CB Ken Lucas returned to practice after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury. Lucas said he expects to play against the Steelers. "I feel like as the week goes on I'm only going to get stronger physically and mentally, so I feel like I will be able to go legitimately this week, where I can go out and help the team win," he said.

 

[paz1]

Ok, I've been agonizing over who to start between Ward and another.

My heart says Ward, my head says the other WR(due to match-up), but just heard on ESPN radio's Fantasy Focus that Ward had strong practices and was running well.

Am leaning towards Ward...

 

[-OZ-]

Ok, I've been agonizing over who to start between Ward and another.My heart says Ward, my head says the other WR(due to match-up), but just heard on ESPN radio's Fantasy Focus that Ward had strong practices and was running well.Am leaning towards Ward...

I'm going with Ward in the 2nd round of our playoffs today over a certain 2nd year WR who has what should be a tough matchup, but exploded the last time they played. Hines is simply a safer pick.

 

[paz1]

Ok, I've been agonizing over who to start between Ward and another.

My heart says Ward, my head says the other WR(due to match-up), but just heard on ESPN radio's Fantasy Focus that Ward had strong practices and was running well.

Am leaning towards Ward...

I'm going with Ward in the 2nd round of our playoffs today over a certain 2nd year WR who has what should be a tough matchup, but exploded the last time they played. Hines is simply a safer pick.

There's the rub(for me anyway).I played against TO and kinda feel I need a guy with higher upside...

 

[-OZ-]

Ok, I've been agonizing over who to start between Ward and another.

My heart says Ward, my head says the other WR(due to match-up), but just heard on ESPN radio's Fantasy Focus that Ward had strong practices and was running well.

Am leaning towards Ward...

I'm going with Ward in the 2nd round of our playoffs today over a certain 2nd year WR who has what should be a tough matchup, but exploded the last time they played. Hines is simply a safer pick.

There's the rub(for me anyway).I played against TO and kinda feel I need a guy with higher upside...

I guess I can understand that, but how does 171/3 sound? (his best game this year)Carolina does have the 10th best pass D, so I wouldn't expect more than 100/1. It depends who your guy is of course, out of the players I have, the only guys I might start above him which fit your statements are Javon Walker and Lee Evans. Both would be risky propositions, so I'd go with Hines.

 

[paz1]

Ok, I've been agonizing over who to start between Ward and another.

My heart says Ward, my head says the other WR(due to match-up), but just heard on ESPN radio's Fantasy Focus that Ward had strong practices and was running well.

Am leaning towards Ward...

I'm going with Ward in the 2nd round of our playoffs today over a certain 2nd year WR who has what should be a tough matchup, but exploded the last time they played. Hines is simply a safer pick.

There's the rub(for me anyway).I played against TO and kinda feel I need a guy with higher upside...

I guess I can understand that, but how does 171/3 sound? (his best game this year)Carolina does have the 10th best pass D, so I wouldn't expect more than 100/1. It depends who your guy is of course, out of the players I have, the only guys I might start above him which fit your statements are Javon Walker and Lee Evans. Both would be risky propositions, so I'd go with Hines.

They're Booker and Caldwell.I really think they're all about even this week but if there is a 'home run hitter' I think it might be Caldwell vs the Texans. I heard Brady broke up with his girlfriend so he'll probably go off.