Ward: "It's just a Sprained Knee"

Ward: "It's just a Sprained Knee"
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http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...autious_route/

AFC NOTEBOOK
Ward takes the cautious route
He doesn't return after knee injury
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff | January 19, 2009

PITTSBURGH - Steelers receiver Hines Ward left last night's AFC Championship game in the first quarter with a right knee injury and didn't return, but he said he doesn't envision the injury keeping him out of Super Bowl XLIII.

"I will play," Ward said in the victorious locker room. "I'll be there - through, rain, sleet, or snow."

Ward expects to undergo an MRI this week and indicated that he could have returned to last night's physical battle against the Ravens.

"It's just a sprained knee," he said. "They said it's nothing structurally. I was going to come back, but I didn't want to come back at 75 or 80 percent. It gave an opportunity for other guys to step up and they did that."

On facing the Cardinals, whom oddsmakers have made early 6 1/2-point underdogs, Ward said, "Kurt Warner, I think, is really a difference-maker for that team. I think he's found his niche there. He's playing phenomenal and it doesn't hurt when you have the greatest wideout in the league today, [Larry] Fitzgerald, to bail you out on some of the plays. And they're playing great team defense. It's going to be a tough matchup, for both teams."

Ward says he's ready for Tampa
By Jim Equels Jr., Times Sports Correspondent
Published: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:39 AM EST


PITTSBURGH — Despite spending the better part of three quarters watching the AFC Championship Game from the sideline, Hines Ward knows exactly where he’s going to be on Feb. 1. That’s because he got a fan’s perspective — watching the game in the cold weather — after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 23-14 win over Baltimore on Sunday.

He’s looking forward to the sunshine of Florida for the Super Bowl.

“I plan on being ready for the Super Bowl,” Ward said. “I want to go right now and get out of this cold weather.”

Ward was injured after a hit by Frank Walker in the first quarter. He returned briefly in the second quarter, but left the game shortly after and didn’t return. He finished with three catches for 55 yards.

“The knee’s fine,” Ward said after the game. “I just fell on it wrong and twisted it a bit.”

Ward’s absence added a little pressure on fellow wideout Santonio Holmes.

“I went up to him (Ward) and told I was going to be the guy to carry this team,” said Holmes, who caught a 65-yard TD pass in the second quarter. “You’ve carried me for three years now, I’m going to carry you.”

While Ward’s injury appears minor, the same could not be said for Ravens’ running back Willis McGahee, who took a vicious hit from the Steelers’ Ryan Clark in the fourth quarter. McGahee was on the field motionless for several minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and cart. He had movement in his arms and legs, but felt significant pain in his neck.

“I said a prayer for Willis McGahee,” Ward said. “That could happen to any of us.”


http://www.timesonline.com/articles/...a365259075.txt