Steelers Post-Practice Buzz: Harrison in cranky mood when pressed about knee injury

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker James Harrison was not in the mood Wednesday to discuss his creaky left knee, deferring until Friday an update on his status for the regular-season opener Sunday night at Denver.

While Harrison participated on a limited basis Wednesday afternoon, his teammates believed there was still a good chance that the league's former defensive player of the year would be ready for the opener.

"I wouldn't put anything past him,'' second-year player Chris Carter said. "And that's just in the short time that I've known him. He's a great player, and if he can go this week I'll keep learning by watching him play. I look forward to that, and also for my time to come in the future.''

Harrison spoke to the local media Monday and didn't say much. He shooed away reporters in front of his locker Wednesday, but he had a previously scheduled session with the Denver media. Harrison actually was quite terse Wednesday with a female reporter from out of town.

"Get out of my face,'' Harrison said, when he was pressed to continue talking because she would not be in town Friday. "Get out of my face. Peace out.''

If Carter is pressed into action, it'll be a continuation of his progression. After a rough start as a rookie last year, coming off no spring practice and several hamstring injuries in training camp, he's just glad to be healthy.

"It's been a long road for me, but I'm a much better player now,'' Carter said. "I had a torn hamstring to start last season, and we didn't get any spring practice. So, I didn't do much at all last year before the season began. I didn't know the playbook, so my confidence level is five times higher than it was before.