Ward unavailable for Sunday’s game vs. Cardinals

As was expected for all of this week, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, who did not practice at all yesterday, will not play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.  Nate Washington will probably replace Ward at flanker with Cedric Wilson in the slot.

This is only the fourth game that Ward, a 10-year veteran, has missed in his career.  Ward told Bob Smizik, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette regarding his unavailability against the Cardinals, “You’ve got to be smart.  With the guys that we’ve got, there’s no need for me to try and rush back.  I’ve got confidence in the guys that are playing.  I’ve got to look at the big picture.  I don’t want to have an on-going knee injury all year.  This game means a lot but still you have to look at the big picture.”