Parker, Moore could give Steelers 1-2 ground punch

December 3, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Willie Parker is expected to play, but Mewelde Moore still will run the ball.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — As running back Willie Parker continues to get closer to 100 percent, the Pittsburgh Steelers might be developing into a team that leans heavily on two running backs.

Parker has missed five games this season, been limited in others and is nursing a left knee injury. He was effective when he played during Sunday’s 33-10 victory at New England, but also sat out long stretches of time as the team went with Mewelde Moore at running back.

Parker finished with 16 carries for 87 yards and Moore rushed 12 times for 67 yards.

During his weekly press conference Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin said that Parker “continues to get better” but that he might not be able to practice today.

Parker is expected to play Sunday when the Steelers play host to the Dallas Cowboys. But even if he does, Moore likely will get carries outside of his former third-down-only role.

“No doubt it was a successful venture for us last week,” Tomlin said of featuring two backs. “Mewelde is a good player, and he’s proved that he’s capable of helping us win. We all know what Willie’s capable of doing. I’m sure we’ll continue to see both of those guys in some form or fashion. The minute details of rotating them just hasn’t been worked out yet for this week.”

Parker is a former Pro Bowler who rushed for at least 1,200 yards during each of the previous three seasons. He has 572 yards on 142 carries with four touchdowns this season.

Tomlin said Parker’s knee wasn’t an issue, but that he still wasn’t 100 percent.

“That’s December football. ... We need to do what we can in terms of letting him get to a game in the best condition he can be in,” Tomlin said.

Beyond Parker, Tomlin was encouraged by his team’s injury status.

“This is as good as we’ve had it coming out of a game,” he said, noting that reserve defensive lineman Travis Kirschke was the only new injury to report. He had back spasms during the New England game and will be monitored the rest of the week.

Cornerback Bryant McFadden, who missed the past six games with a broken arm, should return Sunday, Tomlin said.

“He was pretty close last week. We think he’s going to get over the top this week,” Tomlin said. “It’s good to get him back in the mix.”

Defensive end Brett Keisel will miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury and left tackle Marvel Smith (back) continues to be out. Smith, who also was hindered by a back problem last season, has not played in two months.

One player the Steelers don’t have to worry about in terms of injury is linebacker James Harrison. Harrison, who is third in the league in sacks with 14, reportedly had sustained a back injury during a field goal attempt late in the first half Sunday. But during the second half he had two sacks in which he forced fumbles.