NFL

Steelers S Troy Polamalu (knee) said Tuesday that there is still no timetable for his return and it’s possible that he’ll miss the rest of the season. Polamalu admitted that he won’t play Thursday against the Browns. The 10 days off before the next game will give him a better chance to return in Week 15, but he’s yet to be cleared for practice much less game action. Polamalu should only attempt a return if the Pittsburgh Steelers make the playoffs, which isn’t exactly a done deal at this point.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

St. Louis: Rams QB Marc Bulger will have an MRI on his fractured shinbone this week. The St. Louis Rams and the QB believe there is a chance he could return this season. This would help out the value of WRs Donnie Avery and Brandon Gibson.

Houston: After undergoing an MRI on his left shoulder, Matt Schaub remained optimistic that he will be able to play Sunday.

New York: New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez will war a brace on each knee if he plays against the Bucs on Sunday. It looks like he will play but expect him to be limited in practice this weekend.

Washington: Though agent Drew Rosenhaus claimed that Clinton Portis (injured reserve, concussion) will make a complete recovery for 2010, Portis was less optimistic Tuesday. “If it’s my time, I think I had a great career,” said Portis, who was not cleared to play by a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh Monday. “The doctor feared that if I took another hit like that, [the vision problems] would get worse … He said it rattled the vision and that was his main concern.”

Pittsburg: Hines Ward (concussion) is expected to be a game-time decision Thursday night after missing a second straight practice Tuesday. “It probably will come down to the eleventh hour,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “I’d say it’s a mild hamstring issue but having a Thursday night game complicates matters to the point that we’ll have to wait and see if he’s ready.” Mike Wallace is expected to see extended playing time, even if Ward is able to play.

Denver Broncos: RT Ryan Harris is done for the season after re-injuring the big toe on his right foot that was dislocated Nov. 1 at Baltimore. Harris visited a specialist Tuesday and was informed that he wouldn’t be able to play even in the playoffs. Harris was having a beak out year and was playing at a top-ten NFL tackle level.