Defensive end Brett Keisel could miss three games with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Coach Mike Tomlin also doesn't know if cornerback Deshea Townsend (hamstring, doubtful), cornerback Bryant McFadden (broken forearm, questionable) and left tackle Marvel Smith (back, status uncertain) can play.

Smith has missed six games due to persistent back pain and Tomlin said Tuesday he remains "status quo." Wide receiver Santonio Holmes sat out part of the Bengals game with a concussion, but is expected to play.

Cowboys

ROMO CLOSE TO SHEDDING SPLINT ON THROWING HAND

IRVING, Texas | Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hasn't shed the splint yet.

Romo hopes to soon play without a splint on his throwing hand, but the protective device was still covering his injured right pinkie Tuesday during the portion of practice open to the media.

Romo said that he expects the pinkie he broke Oct. 12 to be "almost all the way healed this weekend, if not by Thursday," when the Cowboys (7-4) play Seattle (2-9). It will be his third game since missing three games because of the injury.

Romo is 42 of 66 passing (63.6 completion percentage) for 539 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions since returning.

"I can definitely put (the ball) where I want to on the field," Romo said.

"It's just a matter of, with the splint on, every once in a blue moon, it'll pop up and affect the throw a little bit. But other than that, it's been good."

Texans

GREEN placed on injured reserve, out FOR THE YEAR

HOUSTON | The Texans have placed running back Ahman Green on season-ending injured reserve after he hurt his left knee against Cleveland.

The 31-year-old former Green Bay star was injured in the third quarter of Sunday's 16-6 win over the Browns.

in other news

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux of the Atlanta Falcons received multiyear contract extensions. Jenkins, a first-round pick in 2004, was given a four-year extension. Babineaux, a second-round pick in 2005, was given a five-year extension .

Seattle running back Julius Jones will start on the road against Dallas in the Thanksgiving Day game, four days after being benched. Jones was dropped by Dallas last season before he became a free agent. This season, Jones has 637 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 11 games .