Roethlisberger Gets Good News

Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger not only doesn’t have a serious knee injury, as the team feared Monday night in San Diego, he could play Sunday.

“It’s a deep sigh of relief,” Coach Bill Cowher said Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger suffered a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise during a game-winning field-goal drive at the end of a 24-22 victory but hasn’t been ruled out of Sunday’s game against Jacksonville.

Roethlisberger was injured with 1:05 remaining when Charger defensive end Luis Castillo’s helmet struck his left knee as Roethlisberger threw a pass.

Backup Tommy Maddox (calf injury) sat out Monday’s game but could play Sunday.

If neither Roethlisberger nor Maddox can play, the Steelers would turn to Charlie Batch.

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Jesse Chatman was acquired by the New Orleans Saints from Miami for a conditional draft choice to provide depth at running back in the absence of injured Deuce McAllister.

McAllister tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sunday at Green Bay and is expected to be lost for the season. Antowain Smith and Aaron Stecker will replace him.

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Former USC linebacker Zeke Moreno signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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The Cleveland Browns lost running back Lee Suggs for at least one month because of a broken right thumb suffered during Sunday’s victory over Chicago.