Troy Polamalu fears one day he will take a blow to the head that will result in serious long-term negative effects on his brain. And he has no plans to change his style of play or torpedo-like manner of tackling.
Speaking publicly for the first time since being knocked out of Sunday’s win against Kansas City due to concussion-like symptoms, Pittsburgh’s All-Pro safety said he feels good. He went through his second consecutive full practice Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday’s AFC North showdown between the Steelers (8-3) and Cincinnati Bengals (7-4).
Polamalu remained on the field for several seconds and got up woozy after his helmet struck 290-pound Steve Maneri’s knee while making a tackle against the Chiefs. He refused to discuss the precise diagnosis that forced him out of Sunday’s game, continuing the Steelers’ reluctance to officially term it as a concussion.
Sunday was the second time in six weeks Polamalu left a game early with a head injury. Counting high school, college and the pros, Polamalu has been diagnosed with at least seven concussions.
Asked if he was concerned how those repeated blows will have a cumulative effect on him, Polamalu said “not at this time, no.”
Suh’s appeal denied
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will serve all of his two-game suspension after his appeal for stomping an opponent was denied.
The NFL suspended Suh for two games without pay earlier this week for stepping on the right arm of Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith in last week’s Thanksgiving loss.
Art Shell, who was jointly appointed by the league and the players’ association, heard Suh’s appeal and issued his decision on Friday.
Suh will miss Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints and next week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. He is eligible to be reinstated Dec. 12 and cannot practice with the team nor be at team facilities during the suspension.
The Lions (7-4) are tied with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons in the wild-card hunt but would miss the playoffs for a 12th straight year if the season ended today, based on tiebreakers.
Bennett signs extension
Chicago Bears receiver Earl Bennett signed a four-year, $18 million extension that included $9 million guaranteed, a league source confirmed Friday. Bennett also got a $6 million signing bonus.
“Good to see a guy like him get rewarded for his time here,” quarterback Caleb Hanie said of Bennett. “The best has yet to come for him, though.”
Gore closing in on record
Frank Gore is closing in on San Francisco’s rushing record. He’s hoping it will be one small part of a big celebration for the 49ers on Sunday.
Gore needs 22 yards against the St. Louis Rams to become San Francisco’s all-time leading rusher. The two-time Pro Bowler ranks sixth among the NFL’s leading rushers this year with 909 yards, averaging 82.6 per game.
The seventh-year veteran can reach another milestone Sunday that he has been pursuing since joining the 49ers: His first playoff berth. San Francisco can end an eight-year playoff drought and clinch its first NFC West title since 2002 with a victory.
Hall of fame running back Joe Perry has been San Francisco’s rushing leader since he retired in 1963 with 7,344 yards for the 49ers. Perry died April 25 at age 84.
Around the league
Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Michael Vick, out the last three games with cracked ribs, could practice on Monday and that means he may start when the team resumes play next Sunday at Miami. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha suffered a concussion Thursday in the Eagles’ 31-14 loss at Seattle. The Eagles also confirmed that defensive back Colt Anderson was lost for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The Eagles signed cornerback D.J. Johnson to the practice squad. … The Seattle Seahawks lost left tackle Russell Okung for the rest of the season on a play coach Pete Carroll called “out of line.” Okung suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the game. Okung got thrown by Eagles defensive end Trent Cole away from the play inside the final 2 minutes and after the whistle had blown. Okung underwent tests to determine the severity of the injury. Carroll called the injury “significant” and the Seahawks announced the results of the injury later Friday. Okung is likely headed for surgery and a long rehabilitation. … New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (stress fracture in foot) and linebacker Michael Boley (hamstring injury) participated on a limited basis in practice and are officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers will be without both their starting inside linebackers Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk (both have calf injuries). …Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets because of a groin injury. Fullback Darrel Young is also listed as questionable after suffering a concussion last week.