A new layer of grass will be laid atop the current playing surface at Heinz Field today, a few hours after completion of Saturday's four district high-school Football championship games. The new turf will be in place for the West Virginia-Pitt game on Friday afternoon.

This is the second year in a row that the Steelers have paid to have new sod installed before the end of the season.

Last year, a new layer of grass was put down hours before two inches of rain drenched the field during a 3-0 Steelers win over Miami on Nov. 26, a game played in ankle-deep mud. Only the nose of the ball was visible after it was buried in the mush during a Steelers punt that wasn't fielded.

Heinz's hybrid grass surface held up much better this season, with bare patches between the hash marks becoming visible only when the Steelers played two home games in five days last Sunday and Thursday. Counting the high-school games, six games were scheduled at Heinz Field in a seven-day span.

Because Pitt also plays at Heinz Field, the stadium's grass surface gets more wear and tear than most other NFL stadiums. As many as 12 games not involving the Steelers are played there every season.

Steelers chairman Dan Rooney has resisted installing artificial turf because his players strongly favor playing on grass.

Notes

? The Tennessee Titans bolstered their injury-depleted secondary on Saturday, signing veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole and promoting Tuff Harris from their practice squad a day before hosting Brett Favre and the New York Jets. Cornerbacks Eric King and Reynaldo Hill were placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons.

? The New Orleans Saints will not raise season-ticket prices next year, says owner Tom Benson. The Saints have sold out the Louisiana Superdome on a season-ticket basis for the past three seasons, and Benson says he's maintaining the current prices as a way of thanking the fans. The Saints' average ticket price of $62.22 ranks 28th out of the 32 NFL teams, according to Team Marketing Report of Northbrook, Illinois.

? The Denver Broncos waived running back Alex Haynes and elevated rookie safety Josh Barrett from their practice squad.

? The Chicago Bears placed veteran offensive tackle Fred Miller on injured reserve and elevated receiver Brandon Rideau from the practice squad. Officially listed with a shoulder injury, Miller appeared in just six games and played mostly on special teams in his 13th season.