Strahan to miss rest of season

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan will sit out the rest of the season for the New York Giants after aggravating a right foot sprain last weekend against the New Orleans Saints.

He was put on injured reserve Tuesday and might need surgery, the team said.

The Giants (7-8) can almost surely clinch a playoff berth by beating the Redskins (5-10) in the regular-season finale at Washington on Saturday.

New York also put offensive tackle Luke Petitgout and returner Chad Morton on injured reserve. Morton injured his knee Sunday; Petitgout broke a leg against Chicago on Nov. 12.

The Giants had kept Petitgout on the active roster, hoping he might play again this season. However, he has not made enough progress.

Strahan, 35, who shares the Giants’ all-time sacks record of 132 1/2 with Lawrence Taylor, hurt his foot Nov. 5 against Houston. He was playing for the first time since the injury in Sunday’s 30-7 loss to New Orleans.

The 14-year veteran had five tackles (three solo) and knocked down a pass before reinjuring the foot late in the game.

Strahan had 50 tackles (34 solo) and three sacks this season, his lowest sacks total since he had one as a rookie in 1993. His sacks total for his career leaves him tied with Taylor and Leslie O’Neal for seventh on the all-time NFL list.

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Bill Cowher apparently won’t make anyone wait to learn whether he’ll return as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach next season.

Cowher is expected to announce his plans within a few days of Sunday’s season-ending game at Cincinnati, one that is without playoff implications for the Steelers (7-8), last season’s Super Bowl champions.

“That’s for next week,” Cowher said when asked whether he would return next season. “We’ll talk about that next week. It won’t go long. I’m not sure what the time frame is. But I think the most important thing is to be focused on this game.”

Cowher, 49, who has coached the Steelers since 1992, has a year left on his contract.

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The game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears Sunday at Soldier Field has been moved from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. PST and will be televised by NBC.