Steelers Vote Bettis as Team MVP

The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed Thursday what their fans already knew: Jerome Bettis is their most valuable player.

Bettis, who has rushed for 1,421 yards, the second-highest single-season total in club history, was chosen in voting by his teammates.

Bettis is the third running back to win the award since its inception in 1969, joining Franco Harris (1972) and Barry Foster (1992).

The playoff-bound Steelers play Carolina on Sunday, yet the New England Patriots could decide if Bettis wins the NFL rushing title.

Bettis has a sore ankle and might be rested if the Steelers don’t have a shot at a first-round bye. The Patriots can earn that by beating the New York Giants on Saturday.

Bettis trails rushing leader Terrell Davis of Denver by 96 yards.

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Kordell Stewart, the Steelers’ No. 3 quarterback most of the season, split practice time again with starter Mike Tomczak. Tomczak took the majority of the snaps, but this week’s practices mark the first time since early September he hasn’t taken all of them.

Coach Bill Cowher downplayed speculation he is pondering a switch for Sunday’s game against Carolina.

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San Diego Charger defensive tackle Shawn Lee will undergo surgery on his right shoulder today, the team announced. . . . Thurman Thomas will be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs despite re-injuring his left ankle in a 16-14 loss against the Miami Dolphins last week. . . . Rookie Karim Abdul-Jabbar could become the Miami Dolphins’ first 1,000-yard rusher in 17 years Sunday against the New York Jets. He needs 36 yards to reach 1,000.