STEELERS Another injury disrupts 'O' line

Pittsburgh plays in Detroit in its preseason opener on Saturday.
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- An offensive line that's been reconfigured by injuries this training camp received more bad news Thursday when the Pittsburgh Steelers learned that Todd Fordham had injured his elbow.
A free-agent acquisition last spring, Fordham has been playing with the second team at right guard to help make up for the loss of starter Kendall Simmons.
Fordham had also been considered a contender for the starting right tackle position, but instead becomes the third key lineman to miss time this camp.
Earlier setbacks
Simmons was diagnosed with diabetes two days before camp opened and has yet to practice and center Jeff Hartings missed the past week with a knee injury that knocked him out of four games last season.
Despite the injuries and a little consistency in the offensive line -- two-time All-Pro left guard Alan Faneca is the only name that hasn't changed -- Cowher said he expects the line to come together.
"It does take awhile," he said. "But I feel good about the group we're working with because they know the system and they know each other. It's obviously just getting them back out playing."
Cowher said the left side of the line is solid with Faneca and Marvel Smith adjusted to the shift from the right side to replace departed tackle Wayne Gandy.
But the right side needs work, he said.
Keydrick Vincent is playing for Simmons and Oliver Ross, who lost his job to Simmons, struggled through the first week of camp this year.
"It will take some time but I am encouraged by where Kendall [Simmons] is right now with his condition, and I think we will be able to get him back on the practice field soon," Cowher said.
Simmons is expected to return next week and Cowher said he's not concerned about Fordham, who has a loose chip in his elbow.
"We will take it week-to-week," Cowher said.
"I don't anticipate it being anything serious."
Hartings, meanwhile, is listed as probable for Saturday's preseason opener in Detroit.
Five ruled out
Players ruled out for Saturday's game are running back Amos Zereoue (ankle), Simmons, cornerback Hank Poteat (shoulder), quarterback Tim Levcik (knee) and Fordham.
Cowher also said he expects Zereoue, Simmons and Poteat to practice next week.
Starters will play only the first quarter at Detroit. Quarterback Tommy Maddox will be replaced by Charlie Batch in the second quarter, and Batch will give way to rookie Brian St. Pierre sometime in the third quarter. St. Pierre, a fifth-round pick out of Boston College, will finish the game.