Parker re-injured his left knee in the Steelers' 27-10 win over the Bengals last Thursday. He has already missed five games this season because of knee and shoulder problems and did not give any indication if he will be able to play against the Patriots.

Mewelde Moore will start if Parker is unable to go and the Steelers re-signed Najeh Davenport yesterday to bolster their depth at running back.

"It's definitely hard," Parker said today after practice. "Even if I'm hobbled I want to get in there."

The Steelers have ruled out a pair of starters, defensive end Brett Keisel (knee) and left tackle Marvel Smith (back), for Sunday's 4:15 p.m. game.

Travis Kirschke will start for Keisel while Max Starks will play for Smith.

Cornerbacks Bryant McFadden (arm) and Deshea Townsend (hamstring) are listed as questionable even though both practiced all week.

In other Steelers news, the time of the team's Dec. 14 at Baltimore has been moved from 1 to 4:15 p.m. to accommodate CBS.

Under the NFL's "flex-scheduling" policy the Steelers' Dec. 28 game against the Browns at Heinz Field is also subject to change. It is scheduled for 1 p.m.