PITTSBURGH — Steelers coach Mike Tomlin clarified the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder: sprained but not separated.
The injury will likely keep Roethlisberger from fully participating in practice today, but not from playing Sunday against the Eagles.
The Steelers said last week their quarterback was nursing a sore shoulder, but a TV commentator Sunday night termed the injury a shoulder separation.
During his weekly news conference Tuesday, Tomlin appeared agitated by the latter description.
“I have no idea where that report came from,” Tomlin said. “It didn’t come from me or my medical staff. If anybody in here has got any information about where that report came from, send them to me.”
Tomlin said Roethlisberger sprained his AC joint, an injury to the ligaments that attach the collarbone to the shoulder blade.
The issue might be one of semantics. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons describes a mild shoulder separation as a sprain of the AC ligament. It differs from more severe shoulder separations in which the ligament is torn.
Whatever the injury, Roethlisberger threw for 186 yards and a touchdown during Pittsburgh’s 10-6 win over Cleveland on Sunday and is expected to play against the Eagles.
“He said it feels better than it did a week ago, which is good,” Tomlin said.
Also, defensive end Brett Keisel (calf) likely will miss a month, while cornerback Deshea Townsend (heel) might miss his second game in a row.
Seahawks reacquire Robinson
SEATTLE — The Seahawks and receiver Koren Robinson, their former No. 1 draft choice, agreed to a one-year contract.
Robinson worked out for the Seahawks and convinced team president Tim Ruskell he has changed since Ruskell released him in the 2005 season because of repeated problems with alcohol.
“Just because of the terms and circumstances I left Seattle on, I never thought I’d be back,” Robinson said. “I’m grateful for this chance. I think it can be a good story — for me and the team.”
Robinson, 28, said he has been sober for 25 months thanks to a new marriage, two young sons, a baby girl due next month and religion.
The Seahawks have lost six wide receivers to injury this season.
Robinson already is listed as No. 1 on Seattle’s depth chart at wide receiver for Sunday’s game against the Rams.
Former Giant Ingram going to prison
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — Former Giants receiver Mark Ingram was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for bank fraud and money laundering. It’s a third term behind bars for the player who starred in the 1991 Super Bowl.
Ingram, 42, also was ordered in Long Island federal court to pay $252,000 in restitution. He is free on $200,000 bail until Dec. 5. He said the criminal record he has had since his 1996 retirement is “not who I am.”
“It hurts me to my core,” Ingram said. “I made mistakes.”
Ingram pleaded guilty in November 2005 to laundering money he believed to be proceeds from narcotics deals and to bank fraud for cashing counterfeit checks.
His sentencing was delayed as he tried to revoke the plea, fired several court-appointed attorneys and made what prosecutors termed “outlandish” legal arguments, including a claim that he was immune from prosecution because he enjoyed diplomatic status as a head of state.
Footnotes.
Raiders defensive end Tommy Kelly was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked at Oakland’s Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility.
• Cowboys safety Roy Williams underwent surgery for a broken bone in his right arm and is expected to miss a month.
• The Jets waived punter Ben Graham, a former Australian Football League star who was in his fourth season with the team.
• Buccaneers rookie cornerback Elbert Mack was suspended one game without pay by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
• Chiefs rookie cornerback Brandon Carr will replace Patrick Surtain (shoulder) for Sunday’s game at Atlanta.
• Browns defensive end Robaire Smith will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve because of a left Achilles injury.
• The Falcons waived second-year tight end Martrez Milner, a fourth-round draft pick from Georgia in 2007.
• Texans owner Bob McNair has discussed the possibility of his team playing at Rice Stadium if repairs to Reliant Stadium from Hurricane Ike can’t be made in time for its home opener Oct. 5.
The Associated Press
