Steelers Switch to Tomczak

Pittsburgh Coach Bill Cowher said Mike Tomczak, who started four games last season after Neil O’Donnell was hurt on opening day, will replace the ineffective Jim Miller at quarterback Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Miller completed nine of 17 passes for 83 yards in a 24-9 loss Sunday at Jacksonville.

In addition to losing Pro Bowl linebacker Greg Lloyd for the season because of a knee injury, Jason Gildon and Steven Conley, who share the other outside linebacker’s spot, will sit out at least two games apiece because of knee injuries.

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New York Jet defensive tackle Erik Howard, who tore right knee ligaments in Sunday’s 31-6 loss to the Broncos, is almost surely out for the season.

But offensive tackles Jumbo Elliott (groin) and David Williams (back), who sat out the loss, hope to return this week.

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A decision on whether Raider quarterback Jeff Hostetler plays at Kansas City this week will be made Wednesday, Coach Mike White said. Hostetler did not play in Sunday’s 19-14 loss to Baltimore because of a right knee injury. . . . Craig Erickson, released last week by the Indianapolis Colts, signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins for $500,000 per season. He and Bernie Kosar will back up Dan Marino. . . . The Buffalo Bills will be without wide receiver Steve Tasker for a few weeks because of a sprained left foot in a victory over the New York Giants. . . . Colt quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who injured his forearm in a 20-13 victory over Arizona, said he would play this week.