PITTSBURGH -- A violent collision with Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew's churning knees won't be enough to keep Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu out of the lineup Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is "good to go" after passing a concussion test. The team removed Polamalu from the game midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday's 17-13 win over the Jaguars with concussion-like symptoms.
"We anticipate him practicing tomorrow and moving on throughout the week like everyone else on our football team," Tomlin said.
Tomlin believes Polamalu was injured while diving at Jones-Drew's legs on a third-and-1 play. Polamalu stuffed Jones-Drew for no gain, forcing the Jaguars to punt. The All-Pro safety watched Pittsburgh's final two defensive series from the sidelines.
The Steelers initially termed Polamalu's condition as a "very mild" concussion and took him out of the game as a precaution. Polamalu kept his helmet on save for a brief phone conversation with his wife.
The call is technically in violation of league rules, though Tomlin doesn't expect Polamalu -- who declined to speak to reporters after the game -- to be disciplined. Tomlin said it was important for Polamalu, who has a history of concussions, to assure his family he was OK.
"He wasn't checking his bank account," Tomlin said.
Notes: The Steelers will once again play without linebacker James Harrison (eye), nose tackle Casey Hampton (knee) and defensive end Aaron Smith (foot). ... Guard Doug Legursky will be out several weeks after suffering a dislocated toe against Jacksonville, though the line should be helped by the return of Chris Kemoeatu and Marcus Gilbert. Kemoeatu has missed two straight games with a knee injury while Gilbert didn't play against the Jaguars because of an issue with his left shoulder.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
