NFL notes

— STEELERS QB’s shoulder sprained

PITTSBURGH - Ben Roethlisberger left Heinz Field on Monday night with his sprained right shoulder in a sling. When he walks back in ready to play is anybody’s guess.

Tomlin called Pittsburgh’s franchise quarterback “questionable” but otherwise offered little detail Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Roethlisberger was smashed into the ground by Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in the third quarter of Pittsburgh’s 16-13 overtime victory.

“He is being evaluated,” Tomlin said. “Obviously this injury puts his participation in the questionable category for this week.”

Roethlisberger left the game and went to the hospital to for a magnetic resonance imaging. He underwent more tests Tuesday to determine the severity of the sprain to the sternoclavicular (SC) joint in his throwing shoulder.

The SC joint connects the collarbone to the sternum. Treatment can range from a few days of rest and ice to as much as 4-6 weeks according to Dr. Victor Khabie, chief of sports medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y.

“You could tape it, you could do that stuff but the reality is those ligaments just have to heal,” Khabie said. “If you go throwing, you slow down the healing process.”

Roethlisberger was scrambling in the pocket to buy time on Pittsburgh’s first possession of the second half when Houston wrapped up Roethlisberger’s legs and Hali slammed into him, driving the quarterback’s right side into the damp Heinz Field turf. Roethlisberger didn’t appear to be hurt walking off the field but quickly made his way to the locker room before leaving the stadium with the game still in progress.

“It didn’t seem like a tough hit ... but he came to the sideline and next thing you know he was gone,” Pittsburgh left tackle Max Starks said. “I’m hoping it was nothing serious.Honestly it didn’t seem like it.”

If Roethlisberger can’t play, the Steelers (6-3) will turn to veteran backup Byron Leftwich, who completed 7 of 14 passes for 73 yards in relief as Pittsburgh won its fourth consecutive game thanks to Shaun Suisham’s 23-yard field goal 51 seconds into the extra period.

BUCCANEERS Black put on IR

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay linebacker Quincy Black will miss the remainder of the season after injuring his neck making a tackle.

The Buccaneers have said they expect Black to recover from a collision with San Diego’s Ryan Mathews, but that the sixth-year pro is experiencing some complications with his left arm.

PATRIOTS Petrus signed

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots have signed guard Mitch Petrus to shore up their battered offensive line,

Petrus (Carlisle, Arkansas Razorbacks), released Nov. 3 after playing six games this season with the New York Giants, signed Tuesday after New England’s starting guards left Sunday’s 37-31 victory over the Buffalo Bills with injuries. Logan Mankins hurt his left ankle, and Dan Connolly injured his back.

The Giants drafted Petrus in the fifth round out of Arkansas in 2010. He played 23 games for them, starting three.

BEARS McCown signed

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears have signed veteran backup quarterback Josh McCown with Jay Cutler’s status for this week uncertain.

Cutler sat out the second half of Sunday’s loss to Houston with a concussion. Jason Campbell took over and is expected to start Monday at San Francisco if Cutler can’t go. But the Bears needed a backup.

McCown appeared in three games with Chicago last season and made two starts, completing 35 of 55 passes for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns and threw 4 interceptions.

VIKINGS Charge dropped

HOUSTON - A grand jury in Houston has dismissed a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson after hearing from the four-time Pro Bowler and other witnesses.

Derek Hollingsworth, one of Peterson’s attorneys, said Tuesday the case stemming from Peterson’s July 7 arrest outside a night club is expected to be formally dropped today.

Sports, Pages 25 on 11/14/2012

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