Heinz getting new grass

The Pittsburgh Steelers will play on a new field during their final two regular-season home games.

A new layer of grass will be laid atop the current playing surface at Heinz Field today, a few hours after completion of Saturday’s four district high school football championship games. The new turf will be in place for the West Virginia-Pitt game on Friday afternoon.

This is the second year in a row that the Steelers have paid to have new sod installed before the end of the season.

Heinz’s hybrid grass surface held up much better this season, with bare patches between the hashmarks becoming visible only when the Steelers played two home games in five days last Sunday and Thursday. Counting the high school games, six games were scheduled at Heinz Field in a seven-day span.

With more than two weeks between home games, the Steelers chose to put down a new field well before their Dec. 7 game against Dallas.

Because Pitt also plays at Heinz Field, the stadium’s grass surface gets more wear and tear than most other NFL stadiums. As many as 12 games not involving the Steelers are played there every season.

Broncos activate Barret

The Denver Broncos waived running back Alex Haynes and elevated rookie safety Josh Barrett from their practice squad.

Bears place Miller on IR

The Chicago Bears placed veteran offensive tackle Fred Miller on injured reserve and elevated receiver Brandon Rideau from the practice squad.

Titans sign veteran CB Poole

The Tennessee Titans bolstered their injury-depleted secondary, signing veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole and promoting Tuff Harris from their practice squad a day before hosting Brett Favre and the New York Jets.

Cornerbacks Eric King and Reynaldo Hill were placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons.

Sanders to miss tonight’s game

Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders will miss tonight’s game in San Diego because of his ailing right knee.