? Starting defensive end Brett Keisel will miss Sunday's game at New England with an MCL sprain in his knee and could be lost for an indefinite period of time, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. Keisel, who missed three games earlier in the season with a calf injury, has 29 tackles, one sack and nine quarterback pressures. "He'll be out for this week and, of course, a couple of weeks surely to follow. But we'll take it week-to-week with him," Tomlin said. Running back Willie Parker, who left the Cincinnati game because of knee inflammation, is questionable, as is cornerback Bryant McFadden, who has missed five consecutive games with a broken forearm. Cornerback Deshea Townsend, who has missed two consecutive games with a hamstring injury, is doubtful. Tackle Marvel Smith will miss his seventh consecutive game with back problems. In the Good News Dept., Tomlin said receiver Santonio Holmes, who suffered a concussion against the Bengals, is expected to return to action.
* Safety Anthony Smith made another guarantee last week. Just as he did a year ago, Smith told the Indiana (Pa.) Gazette that the Steelers will defeat New England. "Yeah, I can guarantee a win," Smith said. "As long as we come out and do what we got to do." Last season, Smith was victimized for two long touchdown passes after guaranteeing a Steelers win over the Patriots. The Steelers lost, 34-13. Smith eventually lost his starting job and hasn't been able to beat out Ryan Clark at free safety. "It was taken out of context," Smith said. "Whoever wrote that article misquoted me. But I guess people are going to write what they want to write anyway." Tomlin was asked yesterday if Smith's failed prediction last year contributed to him losing his starting job. "I'm not going to use that game as a turning point or benchmark for anyone," Tomlin said. "His career is his career."
Digits
39 --The number of consecutive regular-season games New England has won when leading at halftime.
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