Steelers’ injuries force Gilbert into the lineup

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Marcus Gilbert didn’t expect his future to start so soon.

Yet Gilbert will find himself as the starting right tackle on Sunday when the Steelers play host to Seattle after veteran Willie Colon tore the triceps in his right arm last week against Baltimore and was lost for the season.

Coach Mike Tomlin says he has confidence in the second-round pick out of Florida, but Gilbert knows his solid play in the preseason and in practice doesn’t guarantee success. Gilbert has been relying on center Maurkice Pouncey — a former college teammate with the Gators — for advice.

Pouncey says he told Gilbert to study, get in shape and not be intimidated when he walks onto Heinz Field turf for the first time.

Dalton has bruised forearm

CINCINNATI

Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton was limited in practice Wednesday because of his bruised right forearm, but the Bengals say he could start Sunday in Denver.

Dalton had his throwing arm hit after he released a pass during a 27-17 win in Cleveland on Sunday. His wrist and forearm bothered him so much that he couldn’t grip the ball very well, forcing him to the sideline for the second half.

Dalton expects to try some wraps on the wrist during practice this week to see if they help. He said it was feeling better on Wednesday. Coach Marvin Lewis will see how Dalton’s arm holds up in practice this week before deciding on his starter.

Suggs leading Ravens

OWINGS MILLS, Md.

Although the end of the NFL lockout put Terrell Suggs’ movie-making career on hold, the Baltimore Ravens linebacker is a smash hit at what he does best: Chasing quarterbacks.

He is the Ravens’ career sack leader and AFC defensive player of the week after his performance against Pittsburgh. Suggs collared Ben Roethlisberger three times Sunday and forced two fumbles in a 35-7 victory.

Next up is Tennessee’s Matt Hasselbeck on Sunday.

Romo is ready

IRVING, Texas

The Dallas Cowboys’ next game can’t come soon enough for quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo knows the only way to make up for his costly fourth-quarter turnovers in the season opener is to “play really good football going forward for an extended period of time.”

The first chance to do that comes Sunday when the Cowboys play in San Francisco.

In the final 10 minutes last Sunday night at the New York Jets, Romo lost a fumble 3 yards from the end zone and threw an interception that set up a winning field goal for the Jets after they had trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Romo said after practice Wednesday it’s a situation he will learn from, and that it won’t happen again.