Abraham Is Questionable for Saturday

New York Jet defensive end John Abraham is questionable for Saturday’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a sprained right knee.

Coach Herman Edwards said he would make a game-time decision on the status of his Pro Bowl player.

Abraham was initially listed as probable to start after sitting out his fifth consecutive game because of the injury.

Last week, Abraham said he needed to weigh his options when deciding whether to play because of his impeding free agency.

Although Abraham is still sore, Edwards expects him to participate when the team returns to practice today.

“When a player can’t go full speed you really don’t want to put him in harm’s way,” Edwards said.

“It’s best for John, best for the team [that] until he can go full speed he shouldn’t play. He’s going to do everything he can this week to try to be prepared.”

*

Pittsburgh running backs Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley split time during practice, and Coach Bill Cowher might not announce a starter until Saturday.

“They’re both going to play,” Cowher said after the Steelers resumed practicing after a three-day layoff before their divisional playoff game against the Jets.

“We’ll see how we are on game day.”

Bettis, who has 941 yards rushing, and Staley, who has 830, split time during the regular season, but only after Staley injured a hamstring Oct. 31 against New England.

Bettis, used mostly as a short-yardage back until then, stepped in with six 100-yard games in as many starts before sitting out Jan. 2 at Buffalo because of a sprained ankle.

Staley started that day but was pulled from what was a meaningless game for Pittsburgh after carrying eight times for 21 yards.

*

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren held a wrap-up news conference where he rejected speculation he might be fired or leave after a frustrating 9-7 season.

The Seahawks lost to the St. Louis Rams, 27-20, in last weekend’s NFC wild-card round.

“I haven’t been told I’m not coming back,” Holmgren said.

Seattle did make one change, firing special teams coach Mark Michaels.