Steelers' Ward Has Strained MCL, Should Play In Super Bowl

By WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward is one of the toughest players in football, so does anyone really expect a sprained knee to keep him out of the Feb. 1 Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals?

Ward has a slight MCL sprain in his right knee, injured in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 23-14 victory against Baltimore for the AFC championship. He returned to catch one pass early in the second quarter, then left the game for good after catching three passes for 55 yards.

“I don’t think there’s any question that 86 will be on the field,” tight end Heath Miller said. “I don’t even know the extent of his injury, but I saw him walking today, so I’m pretty sure that two weeks from now he’ll be playing.”

Pittsburgh remains a 7-point betting favorite on WagerWeb.com.

Ward has vowed to play, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he expects Ward to go, although he didn’t say it was impossible that he would be sidelined. Ward played on torn PCL and MCL ligaments last year. Following the season he had surgery to repair the injuries.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure he gets the medical attention he needs,” Tomlin said today at his weekly news conference. “In his mind he’s playing so chances are he is.”



Ward was the Super Bowl MVP after the Steelers’ victory over the Seahawks in Detroit following the 2005 season.

“The guy I saw (Tuesday) morning was down there aggressively getting after his rehabilitation and putting himself in position to help this football team,” said Tomlin.

Other Steelers who are ailing are running back Mewelde Moore (sprained ankle), guard Darnell Stapleton (sprained ankle), left tackle Max Starks (sprained knee) and linebacker Patrick Bailey (hamstring strain). They all will be limited in practice this week because of injuries. Safety Ryan Clark, whose hit late in the game sent Ravens running back Willis McGahee to the hospital with a concussion, is apparently fine.

The Steelers will travel to Tampa on Monday. Tomlin says the plan for the week is business as usual. Players had Tuesday off while coaches prepare the game plan as if they are preparing for a game this upcoming Sunday.

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