Polamalu's status for Dolphins uncertain

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu may not be ready to play Sunday in Miami.

Polamalu, out for the last six games and most of a seventh with a left knee injury, began running in a straight line only Monday. He has yet to begun cutting, turning or twisting, moves needed to play in a game.

Polamalu also is running in a swimming pool.

"(Monday) was a positive step," coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. "The door's not closed on him participating. ... He's just progressing, trying to get him ready, hopefully to play."

The five-time Pro Bowl player will be limited if he practices, Tomlin said. Last week, Polamalu said he probably needed a full week of practice before he could play again.

Several weeks ago, Polamalu pointed to the Miami game for his return. However, he probably must show he can move freely and make sharp cuts on a knee that's mending from a sprained posterior cruciate ligament before he is cleared to play for the first time since Nov. 15.

"Yeah, no question," Tomlin said. "The unanticipated movement that comes with playing football, changing direction, dropping your weight and Continue reading the remaining 51% ...