By ALAN ROBINSON
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH(AP) -- Steelers safety Ryan Clark doesn't want his
career to vanish in thin air.
Clark became almost deathly ill after playing in Denver's
mile-high altitude two years ago, losing his spleen and gall
bladder plus 30 pounds due to medical complications that ended
his season. The Steelers (5-2) play in Denver again on Monday,
and Clark and coach Mike Tomlin haven't decided if he will suit
up.
"His physical health, his well-being, of course, is paramount,"
Tomlin said Monday. "We're going to attempt to do what's right,
we're going to weigh all our options and we're going to come to
a decision at some point later this week."
Clark practiced Monday as the Steelers returned from a full week
off, and he has received medical clearance to play.
"I think before we considered anything, we needed to hear, `OK,
Ryan, you're at no extra medical risk to participate in this
game than anyone else is,' " Tomlin said. "He and I have
received that, but we're still going to proceed with extreme
caution. We're not going to hurry this process."
The illness was blamed on Clark having sickle cell trait, but
Clark has an additional condition that aggravated the problem,
according to his coach. Numerous players with sickle cell trait
have played in Denver without problems, Tomlin said.
Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes found out after the
Steelers' 31-28 loss in Denver in 2007 that he also has sickle
cell trait, a condition in which a person inherits one of the
genes of sickle cell anemia, a blood disorder. Holmes plans to
play in Denver.
"Ryan is a unique case where it's the sickle cell trait in
combination with some other pre-existing medical issue that
creates it," Tomlin said. "Santonio is not at any unique risk,
unless he, too, shares that same medical situation, which I
believe at this point he does not."
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu saw Clark when he was sick, and he
understands how difficult his teammate's decision is. Monday's
game could prove important in determining AFC playoff seeding
unless the Broncos (6-1) or Steelers go into a steep slide.
"He almost lost his life the last time we played there, so it's
kind of unfair to say I would or wouldn't (play) because I
didn't undergo the torture and the suffering he had to go
through," Polamalu said.
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and several other teammates
all but said they hope Clark doesn't play.
"Whatever he decides, we're going to back him. But if it was me,
personally, life is more precious than football," Ward said.
"Any time you miss a game and don't feel injured, you want to
play because that's one game you'll never get back. But you've
got to look at the big picture. There's still a lot of football
left and we'd rather have Ryan for the long haul rather than the
short term."
If Clark doesn't play, Tyrone Carter or Deshea Townsend probably
would take his place. Carter filled in when Polamalu missed four
games with a torn left knee ligament.
To help prepare for playing in Denver, Ward said he expects
Steelers players, including linebacker James Harrison, Polamalu
and Holmes, to spend time in a hyperbaric chamber, which is used
to treat altitude sickness.
The devices are expensive - a portable chamber costs $16,000 to
$20,000-plus, and a full-sized hospital unit can cost $1 million
- but Ward refers to his as "the fountain of youth." Ward said a
hyperbaric chamber promotes the production of red blood cells,
thus increasing energy and accelerating the recovery time from
injuries.
"A hyperbaric chamber is a lot like training in Denver," Ward
said. "I'll be in there every day this week. ... They're
expensive, but they're well worth the investment."
Steelers running back Willie Parker missed practice Monday due
to illness, but is expected to be ready for the Monday night
game.
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