STEELERS Washington choice to fill Scott's spot; strategy at the core

This has been Bill Cowher's most disappointing season.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Coach Bill Cowher signaled the Pittsburgh Steelers' course for the rest of the season Tuesday after learning cornerback Chad Scott would miss their final four games with a hand injury.
Cowher could have inserted promising but inexperienced rookie Ike Taylor in Scott's spot, but instead will start former regular Dewayne Washington.
Deshea Townsend, who became a regular when Washington was benched a month ago, shifts to Scott's spot at left cornerback, and Washington goes back to the right side.
Flicker of hope
With the Steelers (4-8) all but eliminated from the playoffs, Cowher could have given more playing time to younger players such as defensive backs Troy Polamalu, Chris Hope and Taylor and defensive end Alonzo Jackson.
But after watching his veteran players get themselves into this mess following two consecutive deep runs in the playoffs, Cowher wants to see if they can play their way out of it.
Cowher used the same strategy in 2000, and was rewarded with a 4-1 finish and a 9-7 record following an 0-3 start. The Steelers went on to go 13-3 in 2001 after missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
"If it's not for the postseason, then you are fighting for next season," Cowher said. "We all know the importance of finishing strong.
"We didn't make the playoffs [in 2000] ... but we were able to take that into 2001. How much of that is built because of the finish, it's hard to say, but there is merit to it."
Cowher will use some of his younger players in situational roles against the Raiders (3-9) on Sunday, the Jets (5-7), Chargers (2-10) and Ravens (7-5), but not to signal he's giving up on his most disappointing season as an NFL coach.
"Our plans are to win football games," he said. "We are not going to do that at the expense of just trying to give people experience. If we feel that gives us the best chance of winning, if they both coincide, so be it."
That doesn't mean his starters, some of whom probably won't be back next season, won't be under as much scrutiny as they would if the Steelers were in contention.
Asked if they'll be watched, Cowher said, "Very closely -- and they know it."
Still, the Steelers can be no better than three games behind with three to play if they beat the Raiders, unless AFC North co-leaders Baltimore and Cincinnati (7-5) tie Sunday.
"But until they tell me we are mathematically eliminated, we are fighting for that last playoff spot," Cowher said.
The Steelers also will be without left tackle Marvel Smith, who aggravated the inflamed nerve in his neck that sidelined him earlier for nearly two months.
Left guard Alan Faneca shifts back to tackle, as he did during Sunday's 24-20 loss to Cincinnati, and Keydrick Vincent takes over at left guard.
Quarterback Tommy Maddox (hyperextended left knee) may not practice today and is listed as questionable, but he is expected to play against Oakland.
Scott's hand
Scott needed surgery Tuesday to reattach a torn flexor tendon in his left hand. Scott initially hurt the hand Oct. 23 against Cleveland, and the injury got worse during the Cincinnati game.
Scott was in coverage during Jon Kitna's touchdown passes of 51 yards to Kelley Washington and 4 yards to Chad Johnson that put Cincinnati up 14-3 at halftime.
To replace Scott, the Steelers activated defensive back Russell Stuvaints from Youngstown State off the practice squad and signed cornerback B.J. Tucker to their practice squad. Tucker, from Wisconsin, was a sixth-round draft pick by Dallas last spring.