Roethlisberger isn't saying if the thumb is broken, and neither is coach Bill Cowher, but Roethlisberger expects to be able to finish the season unless he is hurt again. The Steelers (7-5) play a division-leading team for the third consecutive week Sunday when they face the Chicago Bears (9-3).

"It's pretty bad. It's painful, but it's been worse and it's been better," Roethlisberger said of a thumb he hurt during a 26-7 loss in Indianapolis on Nov. 28.

Despite the injury, Roethlisberger passed for a career-high 386 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-31 loss Sunday to AFC North leader Cincinnati, but he also threw three interceptions that the Bengals turned into two touchdowns.

With no postseason to play for, the Raiders (4-8) are casting an eye toward the future. Oakland coach Norv Turner gave Tuiasosopo the nod on Wednesday and announced that he will start Sunday on the road against the New York Jets.

"It means a lot," said Tuiasosopo, whose lone NFL start came in 2003. "I am excited to get out and play and, with the rest of these guys in the locker room, find a way to win a ballgame this week. That's what I am most excited about."

Turner hinted earlier in the week a change might be made. Collins has the third-most passing yards in the league this season but has generated just four wins for the Raiders, who were eliminated from playoff contention with last week's loss to San Diego.

Collins played well early in the season but has struggled the last month. After throwing just one interception in Oakland's first six games, Collins has been picked off seven times in four weeks.

"I'm not happy about it," said Collins, who will be Oakland's No. 2 quarterback against the Jets. "I feel like this is my team. I feel like I give us the best chance to win Sunday. ... Having said that, I respect what Norv decided to do and I'll help Tui any way I can.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis underwent season-ending surgery on his torn right hamstring Wednesday, concluding a frustrating year in which he played in only six games.

Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 23, when he left in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Chicago Bears. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year worked hard to return from the injury, but finally decided surgery was the best route.

"It was the right thing to do. It gives him the maximum rehab time, multiple opinions," Ravens coach Brian Billick said Wednesday. "He sought them all, we sought them all. It was great that we were able to come to a resolution. I'm sure he's comfortable with it."

Even though he's missed the past six weeks, Lewis still ranks second on the Ravens with 77 tackles. His replacement in the middle, Tommy Polley, leads the team with 93.

Eric Moulds was excused from practice Wednesday and Thursday after reports that that the star wide receiver would be suspended and status is uncertain for this weekend's game against New England.

Coach Mike Mularkey declined to say why he excused the team's leading pass-catcher, but denied reports that he had any intention of suspending Moulds. Referring to Moulds at one point as "a great player," Mularkey said he would not answer questions about Moulds' status until Friday.

"I've told him he's excused from not being here today or tomorrow," Mularkey said. "It's a closed subject, not going to discuss it. It's an in-house topic and we're going to leave it at that."

Moulds' status was in question after numerous media outlets reported Wednesday that Mularkey had informed Moulds in a meeting on Monday that he planned to suspend him.

Moulds' personal adviser, Greg Johnson, told The Associated Press that Moulds is being punished over a misunderstanding that took place during Buffalo's loss at Miami on Sunday.

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