PITTSBURGH -- Wide receiver Hines Ward strained a hamstring near the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders and is expected to miss Thursday night's game in Cleveland.
Coach Mike Tomlin says that with a short week of preparation, Ward is "very questionable." Ward leads the Steelers (6-6) with 72 catches and six touchdowns and is 78 yards away from his sixth career 1,000-yard season.
Safety Troy Polamalu hasn't resumed practicing and is expected to miss a fourth consecutive game -- and his eighth this season -- with a left knee injury. Cornerback William Gay also may not play because of a concussion.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
