NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Steelers: When defensive end Aaron Smith was injured in December, the Steelers didn’t need to download statistics or watch game video to understand what his absence meant. Four losses in their final five games told them. A season later, they are dealing with a similarly troublesome injury only a couple of weeks into the season. Their 3-4 defense relies on the two defensive ends to create pass-rushing lanes for the linebackers and to be strong against the run. Yet the Steelers may be without Brett Keisel (calf) for a month or more. The Steelers (2-0) will be missing Keisel Sunday when they go against quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook and a Philadelphia offense that has scored an NFC-leading 75 points in two games. McNabb has thrown for 642 yards and four touchdowns and Westbrook has rushed for three touchdowns and an average of nearly 75 yards per game. While it has only been two games, the Steelers are encouraged because they are getting more interceptions and sacks, which they lacked a season ago despite being the NFL’s top-ranked defense. If the Steelers can regularly pressure McNabb, it may create second-and-long and third-and-long situations that will limit the Eagles’ ability to feed the ball regularly to Westbrook, who is averaging 131.4 yards from scrimmage in his last eight games against AFC teams. “We’re going to go in there and we’re going to put pressure on the quarterback,” linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. “We’re going to hit the quarterback a few times and hopefully he’ll make some bad decisions and make a turnover.”

Browns: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards was limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Baltimore. Edwards, who has had a rough start to the season with five drops for the 0-2 Browns, is dealing with an injured shoulder. It’s likely the Browns will be without guard Eric Steinbach, who strained his shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh, and linebacker Willie McGinest (hamstring). Both missed their third straight day of practice Friday. Wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth (quadriceps), who has yet to play in a game for Cleveland, missed practice again and is questionable.

Saints: Joey Harrington signed with the Saints and participated in his first practice Friday at the team’s suburban training center, a day before the Saints were set to leave for Sunday’s game at Denver. “When I say it’s going to be a great fit, I think it’s in all areas,” Harrington said. “You’ve got the weapons, so you’re going to win some games. You’ve got a great coach who knows how to use them and you’ve got two great quarterbacks here. ... That’s the biggest thing for me now is just to take a step back, get my feet under me and learn the best that I can. See what it’s like to be on a team that wins some games.” Harrington, a standout at Oregon also known for his talent as a pianist, has spent six seasons in the NFL since being drafted third overall by Detroit in 2002. He played for Miami in 2006 and for Atlanta last season.

Packers: Linebacker Nick Barnett said Friday he would appeal the second fine he received in as many weeks from the NFL. Barnett was fined $7,500 earlier this week for a helmet-to-helmet contact on a hit of Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna in the last game. “I know they’re trying to protect the players, but at the same time, we’re trying to play football,” Barnett said. “Do I think mine is an official fine? I don’t think I hit him hard enough with my helmet.” Barnett was fined $7,500 last week for a horse-collar tackle of Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson in the Packers’ opener Sept. 8. The sixth-year player also forfeited his paycheck for the first week of the season as punishment for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. Barnett was charged with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct for an incident at an Appleton, Wis., nightclub in the offseason last year, but later reached a plea deal with prosecutors. “It’s hard to play physical without playing physical,” said Barnett, who wasn’t called for a penalty for either punishable act in the last two games.

Associated Press