Steelers will play without Ward

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward has been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Arizona because of a sprained right knee.

Ward, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, has sat out only three games because of injury in his 10-season NFL career. He missed two games last December because of a hyper-extended knee, and a 2005 game that ended a streak of games played at 116.

Nate Washington was expected to replace Ward, who was hurt during the third quarter of last week’s 37-16 victory over San Francisco. Washington has three catches for 60 yards this season.

Rookie tight end Matt Spaeth (bruised quadriceps) and cornerback Ricardo Colclough (back) are listed as doubtful.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme walked off the field Friday after sitting out his third consecutive day of practice because of a strained right elbow, stopped in front of a group of reporters, and answered the question before it was asked.

“I don’t know,” Delhomme said of whether he’ll play Sunday against Tampa Bay. “I’m holding out hope. A couple of years ago I broke my thumb and I didn’t take a snap until Saturday morning.

“I’m feeling better. I’m gripping the ball and it feels pretty good. We’re just trying to rest it right now.”

Delhomme, who said he hasn’t tried to throw since being injured during the third quarter of last week’s win over Atlanta, was listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report.

Strongside linebacker Rob Morris, who has not played in the last two games because of a strained abdominal muscle, will be back in the starting lineup Sunday for the Indianapolis Colts in their home game against the Denver Broncos. He was limited in his return to practice Wednesday, but participated fully Thursday and Friday.

Tight end Dallas Clark was expected to play but did not practice after slightly hurting his knee during Thursday’s workouts.

Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson’s groin is still sore, meaning Kelly Holcomb will get his second consecutive start when the Vikings play the Packers on Sunday.

Jackson was limited in practice all week because of the injury that kept him out of last week’s loss to Kansas City, and the second-year player was the only Viking listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.

The Chicago Bears will wait until game time Sunday against the Detroit Lions to decide on the status for a three injured defensive starters.

Tackle Tommie Harris, linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman were listed as questionable on the injury report. Harris sprained a knee, Briggs pulled a hamstring and Tillman sprained an ankle. Harris was the only one of the three to practice this week.