Troy Polamalu's slapping of the ball into the end zone at the end of the team's victory over New England on Sunday was against an NFL rule. The league rule states that you may not bat or punch a loose ball in the field of play toward the opponent's goal line; a loose ball that has touched the ground in any direction, if it is in either end zone; or a backward pass in flight, which can't be batted forward by an offensive player. Polamalu slid after Tom Brady's fumble in the final moments of the game and slapped it into the end zone. The ball slid through the end zone for a safety, making the final score 25-17 for the Steelers.

LaMarr Woodley was sidelined against the Patriots with a left hamstring injury that will likely force him to miss next week's rematch with the Ravens. Woodley was injured late during the third quarter when he pulled up while pass rushing Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Fellow linebacker James Farrior was also inactive and could be out until December with a torn hamstring. James Harrison and Jason Worilds also missed the game.

Former Steelers coach and current CBS analyst Bill Cowher says he'll return to the network in 2012. Cowher said on Sunday's pregame show that he has not been approached by anyone for a coaching position. He had been linked to the winless Dolphins in reports. Cowher says he has "not been contacted directly or indirectly by any football team or any organization" and wants to put "all the speculation to rest."

Hines Ward has been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Ward was carted off the field during the third quarter of last Sunday's 32-20 victory at Arizona with a sprained ankle.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has been fined $10,000 for talking on a cell phone while in the bench area. Possession of cell phones in the bench area during a game is prohibited beginning 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu was calling his wife to assure her he wasn't seriously injured. He sustained what the team called a "very mild" concussion and was removed from the game as a precaution.

Ben Roethlisberger said he believes certain "marquee" quarterbacks get more penalty calls from officials than others. In an interview with Jim Rome, Roethlisberger said the officials "know who are the marquee guys and they want to protect them ... "I think in part because the league doesn't want certain games to be played without certain quarterbacks," Roethlisberger said. "No offense to the other Patriots, but who's gong to watch the Patriots without Tom Brady and the Saints without Drew Brees. That's the way it is. They want to protect those guys because they are the marquee guys of this league, and you don't want them to get hurt."

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is expected to face the Cardinals this Sunday. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu is "good to go" after passing a concussion test. The team removed the veteran from the game midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday's 17-13 win over the Jaguars because of concussion-like symptoms. Tomlin believes Polamalu was injured while diving at Jones-Drew's legs on a third-and-1 play. Polamalu stuffed Jones-Drew no gain, forcing the Jaguars to punt.

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall will start on Sunday against the Jaguars after missing a game due to a hamstring injury. Mendenhall was a full participant in practice for Pittsburgh Wednesday and Thursday.

Barring a late change, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is out for Sunday's game against the Titans. Mendenhall is dealing with a hamstring injury. Isaac Redman will get his first NFL start at running back for the Steelers. He has averaged 4.9 yards on 22 carries this season.

The Steelers have ruled out six players for Sunday's game against the Titans. Pittsburgh will be without Aaron Smith (foot), defensive tackle Casey Hampton (shoulder), linebacker James Harrison (eye), linebacker Jason Worilds (quad), guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee) and halfback Mewelde Moore (ankle).