Relieved Steelers receive good news on quarterback

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have a serious knee injury, as the team initially feared Monday night in San Diego, and could play again as early as Sunday.

After an eventful 24 hours in which the Steelers rallied to win 24-22 after blowing a 14-point lead, lost their star quarterback to what looked to be a frightful injury, and flew all night, coach Bill Cowher was more relieved than happy.

Roethlisberger sustained a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise – but nothing else – after being struck by Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo’s helmet with 1 minute, 5 seconds left in the game. No ligament tears, no tendon or cartilage damage, all of which the Steelers feared after Roethlisberger was removed from the field by a cart.

“I think we’ll all have a deep sigh of relief in regards to the diagnosis,” Cowher said Tuesday after Roethlisberger had an MRI exam not long after getting off the plane from California. “I guess the dire situation we thought we had coming in here this morning doesn’t appear to be that right now.”

Despite the news, it seems unlikely the Steelers (3-1) would rush back Roethlisberger to play Sunday against Jacksonville (3-2), especially after a short week of preparation.

For now, Cowher said, “Charlie Batch is the starter by default until I see more. … We’ll see how the week progresses.”

Saints pick up Chatman

Former Eastern Washington University player Jesse Chatman was acquired by the New Orleans Saints from Miami to provide depth at running back in the absence of the injured Deuce McAllister.

The 5-foot-8, 245-pound Chatman, in his fourth NFL season, had his best year in 2004 with San Diego, rushing for 392 yards and three touchdowns and averaging 6 yards per carry. He was released by the Chargers during the summer and signed by the Dolphins.

He had been inactive for all five Miami games. The Dolphins will receive a conditional future draft choice in the deal.

Browns lose Suggs for month

Already down a wide receiver indefinitely, the Cleveland Browns will be without one of their running backs for a month.

Lee Suggs, a breakaway back whose brief NFL career has been slowed by assorted injuries, broke his right thumb during Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears and will be out at least four weeks.

Meanwhile, the Browns said rookie wide receiver Braylon Edwards will remain at the Cleveland Clinic for at least another day following surgery to remove an unknown infection near his right elbow.

Vikings’ cruise at center of inquiry

The Hennepin County (Minn.) Sheriff’s Department is investigating allegations of criminal sexual conduct by Minnesota Vikings players after a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka devolved into an out-of-control party that included lap dances and sexual acts, according to an attorney for the charter boat company.

Stephen Doyle, a lawyer representing the owners of Al and Alma’s, a company that charters cruises on the lake, said cornerback Fred Smoot and another Vikings player, whom he declined to name, reserved a charter for a night-time excursion last Thursday.

A woman called Mound police Thursday night to report allegations of “possible prostitution, drugs and live sex acts” on the two boats.