Oct 25th 2008 2:07AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, Steelers, AFC North, NFC EastDespite going in to the week optimistic that he’d play, turns out that Steelers’ running back Willie Parker will miss Sunday’s showdown with the Giants.Parker, who has missed the past three games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, went through an entire practice Wednesday with the intention of returning against the Giants. But, when his knee began bothering him again, he was limited in practice Thursday and stood on the sideline yesterday in the final full workout of the week.Parker is among four starters that won’t play on Sunday. The Steelers benched wide receiver Santonio Holmes after police found some hippie lettuce on him earlier in the week. Left tackle Marvel Smith (back) and defensive end Aaron Smith (personal reasons) are also expected to miss the Giants game.

Parker’s and Holmes’ replacements have held their own over the past couple of weeks. Running back Mewelde Moore has rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. Nate Washington caught a 50-yard TD pass just a week after netting a 48-yard touchdown.