Illness going around in Jets-Steelers game

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005 | 9:31 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Pittsburgh linebackers Joey Porter and Kendrell Bell are suffering from flulike symptoms.

The players became ill a day after all 53 Steelers players practiced together for the first time this season.

The Steelers play the New York Jets in a divisional playoff game Saturday.

"I think it was, hopefully, a 24-hour thing," coach Bill Cowher said. "We didn't want to take any chances getting them around the rest of the players. Both guys will be back (today), ready to go."

Pennington called Edwards on Tuesday night to say he was sick. He came to Jets headquarters Wednesday and tried to practice, but Edwards sent him inside to get some rest. To make matters worse for New York, backup Quincy Carter went home to Georgia to be with his ailing mother, so No. 3 quarterback Brooks Bollinger took the snaps with the first-team offense at practice.

Pennington, who got sick from his wife and son, had intravenous fluids to help him get better. Edwards was not worried about Pennington.

Colts at Patriots

Seymour, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, missed at least part of practice with a knee injury that kept him out of the final regular-season game.

He missed the Patriots' last game, against San Francisco, after being hurt the previous week in the third quarter of a win over the New York Jets.

Seymour is tied for third on the team with five sacks and tied for fifth with 67 tackles.

"Our record up there is not good, but as far as what happens on Sunday, whoever executes the best is probably going to win the game," Manning said.

While he plans to study film from meetings with New England, the Colts' past there "doesn't have a whole lot to do with what's going to happen in this game," he said.

Vikings at Eagles

Simoneau, who moved from middle linebacker to the weakside spot midway through the season, was injured in Philadelphia's final regular-season game against Cincinnati. Former starter Nate Wayne and Keith Adams likely will split time in Simoneau's place.

After Moss caught a touchdown pass in last weekend's win at Green Bay, the wide receiver celebrated by pretending to pull down his pants and moon Packers fans. Buck immediately called it a "disgusting act."

McCombs said that statement was out of line. A two-sentence news release issued by the team said McCombs felt Buck's comments "suggested a prejudice that surpassed objective reporting."

Dan Bell, a Fox spokesman, said Wednesday the network has "no intention whatsoever" of removing Buck.

Rams at Falcons

St. Louis receiver Torry Holt has issued a challenge to Falcons rookie cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

"I don't think he has seen anything that we would bring to the table on a consistent basis for four straight quarters," Holt said. "No knock against him. We think he's a tremendous athlete, a tremendous player. ... We will see where he is as a defensive back, and he will be challenged and he'll challenge us."

Holt is hardly going out on a limb. It can be argued that Hall, who was out with a fractured hip when the Falcons played the Rams Sept. 19, will be seeing the best passing team that he will see this season, and his teammates as well.

When the Falcons played the Rams in the second week of the season, Holt and Bruce combined for 223 receiving yards. They are also getting increasing support from Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald, two second-year players.