Haynes Back in the Fold as Parker Placed on IR

Black and Gold Monday put Willie Parker on injured reserve, ending a season for the back that was having one of the best seasons a Steelers running back had ever had.  It was right up there with Barry Foster back in 1992, and some of the bigger seasons “The Bus” Jerome Bettis had when he was running over people with the Steelers.  The team also announced the signing of former back Verrnon Haynes, who was cut in training camp this past summer in the final cut.  He will play fullback as well as be the teams third-down back.  For now, the running back rotation looks like this – Najeh Davenport will start at halfback, rookie Gary Russell will serve as his backup and Haynes and Carey Davis could both see time as the third-down back.  Mike Tomlin talked about Parker and his recovery: “He is on the road to recovery,” Tomlin said. “It is going to probably be a tough road, but Willie has made his career battling odds and being healthy and making the best of situations, and I’m sure he will continue to do that.”