Steelers' Taylor set for surgery on broken thumb Tuesday

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor will undergo surgery to repair his broken left thumb Tuesday, according to the *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*.

Taylor suffered the injury during the first quarter of Friday night's 16-7 preseason loss to the Washington Redskins.

The 31-year-old veteran is expected to miss up to three weeks, but he should be set to return when the Steelers open the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 11.

Taylor, who signed a four-year, $28 million deal to stay in Pittsburgh, said the injury happened during Washington's first drive of the game, but he is foggy on the details.

"It was a freak accident or something like that," Taylor said afterward.

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has no doubts Taylor will be back in time for the showdown with the Ravens.

"Ikes a warrior," Ward told the <em>Tribune-Review</em>. "Hes going to play."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.