http://www.post-gazette.com

Perhaps the Steelers might change the name of the position from safety to something else because there just is no safe way to play that post for them these days.

Strong safety? Troy Polamalu and Tyrone Carter looked anything but pictures of strength as they limped around the Steelers' UPMC training facility yesterday. Carter could join Polamalu out of the lineup this week when the Steelers open competition in the AFC North Division at Cincinnati.

Carter came out of the 17-14 loss Sunday in Chicago with a severely bruised left thigh, the result of his thunderous hit on Bears tight end Greg Olsen that left them both shaken. Polamalu will enter the second of his estimated 3-6 weeks on the sideline with a torn left knee MCL.

Next up? The Steelers have some choices. Ryan Mundy is the only other safety listed on the team after free safety Ryan Clark. He could well move into the starting job at strong safety if Carter cannot play. They also have options with two veteran cornerbacks, Deshea Townsend and Keiwan Ratliff. Each can play safety and have practiced there.

Mundy has played in the first two games in some dime defenses, but this is his first season after spending his first year out of WVU on the Steelers' practice squad. If they do not believe he is ready to start, they could put one of their veteran cornerbacks there.

Either way, it has not been a strong start for the Steelers' strong safeties.

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