Steelers’ James Harrison has knee surgery

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison underwent left knee surgery on Wednesday, clouding his chances of returning in time for the start of the regular season.

Coach Mike Tomlin called the procedure minor but wouldn’t put a timetable on when Harrison will be ready. The four-time Pro Bowl selection and 2008 NFL defensive player of the year will remain on the physically unable to perform list indefinitely.

The knee limited Harrison during organized team activities in May, but Tomlin dismissed the idea that Harrison could have undergone the surgery during the spring and simply put it off.

“We address things as they arise,” Tomlin said. “We felt like the procedure was necessary at this time, so we had it.”

The 34-year-old Harrison has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the league over the last half-decade but has dealt with a series of setbacks during the last 18 months. He had surgery in February 2011 to deal with a balky back and sat out a month last season when he fractured his right orbital bone in a loss to the Houston Texans.

With Harrison and fellow outside linebacker Jason Worilds on the PUP list, second-year linebacker Chris Carter is expected to play a lot Sunday when the Steelers face the Indianapolis Colts.

Cowboys’ Witten has lacerated spleen

Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys suffered a “slightly lacerated” spleen in the exhibition opener Monday night against Oakland, Coach Jason Garrett said. The best way for Witten to heal is to remain as inactive as possible for the next week to 10 days.

Witten is expected to miss the rest of the preseason, starting with Saturday night’s game at San Diego.

The coach said doctors will reassess Witten next week “after we’ve had a few days of him not doing anything.” Surgery would be an option if the spleen isn’t healing properly by then.

Witten apparently was injured after he caught a pass from a scrambling Tony Romo and was immediately hit from the side by Oakland linebacker Rolando McClain.

John Phillips, a fourth-year player, will probably fill in as a starter for Witten. Rookie tight end James Hanna will also get more work.

Etc.

Jurors in Denver convicted Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams of driving while ability-impaired and driving without headlights.

Williams was charged with driving under the influence and traffic charges, but the jury returned the lesser verdicts after a trial that lasted less than a day.

Williams already is facing a six-game suspension for failing an off-season drug test.

Williams left court with his attorney without commenting. He wasn’t immediately sentenced.

Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter had surgery on his torn triceps and is out for four months. Coach John Fox also said right guard Chris Kuper had surgery on his broken left forearm and is out four to six weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Eugene Monroe left the practice field on a cart Wednesday after being hit in the head during drills. Team doctors were checking him for a possible concussion, and Coach Mike Mularkey said the results would determine whether Monroe plays in an exhibition Friday at New Orleans.