Panthers’ Davis Out for Season

The Carolina Panthers put Stephen Davis on injured reserve Saturday, their third running back to be lost for the season.

Davis, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Sept. 17, has played in only two games this season. He has tried to get back on the field several times since, but his knee has swelled after every practice.

He joins backup running back DeShaun Foster (broken collarbone) and Rod Smart (knee) on the injured list. In all, the Panthers (1-7) have 11 players out for the season.

But they’re hardest hit in the backfield, where rookie Joey Harris started last Sunday against the Oakland Raiders after beginning the season on the practice squad.

But Harris pulled his hamstring Friday and is questionable for today’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Panthers signed former 49er running back Jamal Robertson.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers released quarterback Brian St. Pierre and activated Dante Brown off the practice squad to give them more strength at running back for today’s game at Cleveland.

The Steelers are thin at running back, with third-down back Verron Haynes (turf toe) doubtful and Duce Staley questionable because of a sore hamstring that kept him out of last Sunday’s 27-3 victory over Philadelphia.