Tyrone Carter started in place of safety Ryan Clark as a precaution last night and made the big play that sparked the Steelers to their fifth straight win, taking the first of his two interceptions 48 yards for a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 28-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Clark nearly died after a game in Denver two years ago because of a rare blood disorder that is aggravated by playing in high altitude, so Steelers coach Mike Tomlin decided to hold him out of the game.

Tomlin said he didn't want to risk Clark's health or burden his teammates and family members with worry.

Carter capped his night with his second interception with 15 seconds left, and Clark, dressed in charcoal sweats on the sideline, jumped up and down in celebration.

Hines Ward caught two short touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger, including one in which he hauled in a pass in the flat and hurdled cornerback Champ Bailey on his way into the end zone, a final indignity for Denver that capped the scoring with 1 minute, 22 seconds remaining.

Rashard Mendenhall rumbled over the Broncos for 155 yards on 22 carries as the Steelers (6-2) handed Denver its second straight loss after the Broncos opened the season 6-0 under rookie coach Josh McDaniels.

Carter's first interception return gave Pittsburgh a 7-3 halftime lead even though the Steelers had generated just three first downs and were outgained by 183-54 in the first half.

Bills. If Tony Dungy believes Michael Vick would be a good fit in Buffalo, Donte Whitner is on board.

The Bills safety said yesterday he would encourage his team to pursue Vick if the Eagles - who hold a $5.2 million option on the backup quarterback next season - decide to release Vick in the off-season.

Without specifically naming Bills starter Trent Edwards or backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, Whitner noted that players are replaceable if they can't get the job done.

"You bring in other guys that can get the job done that can help you win," he said. "I would welcome bringing in Michael Vick."

Whitner's comments came a day after Dungy linked Vick and the Bills during NBC's NFL pregame show. Dungy, the former Colts coach who serves as Vick's adviser, referred to Buffalo as "a dark horse" candidate to land the quarterback if he becomes available.

Edwards expects to be cleared to play Sunday at Tennessee after missing nearly a month recovering from a concussion.

Panthers. Weakside linebacker Thomas Davis suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Sunday's loss to New Orleans.

Bears. Saying he was embarrassed and that he has to control himself, Chicago defensive tackle Tommie Harris apologized for throwing a punch at Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Deuce Lutui.

Harris was ejected on the fourth play from scrimmage of Sunday's game after he and Lutui wound up on the ground on a running play. Harris apologized to teammates, Bears fans, and to Lutui.

Chargers. San Diego sold enough tickets to lift the local TV blackout of Sunday's game against the Eagles. This is the earliest a Chargers game has sold out this season.

Giants. Backup linebacker Gerris Wilkinson will be sidelined up to two months after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated right wrist.

He was hurt in the second half of the Giants' 21-20 loss to San Diego.

Redskins. The NFL is looking into Sunday's altercation between Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall and members of the Falcons near the Atlanta bench.

A league spokesman said the incident will be reviewed for possible discipline.

Hall was surrounded by Falcons players and coaches after teammate LaRon Landry was whistled for a late sideline hit on quarterback Matt Ryan during the game at the Georgia Dome. Hall claimed Atlanta coach Mike Smith tried to put his hands on him "in a harmful way."

Redskins safety Chris Horton damaged a ligament in his left big toe during the game, sidelining him for four to six weeks. If he needs surgery, Horton could be out for up to six months.

Running back Clinton Portis is recovering from a concussion and is doubtful to play in Sunday's home game against Denver.

Buccaneers. Burglars broke into the house of Tampa Bay safety Sabby Piscitelli while the Buccaneers were beating Green Bay on Sunday for their first win of the season, according to Tampa police.

The house was ransacked and a TV was stolen. A lawn crew in the neighborhood saw the house's rear doors had been forced open and told a neighbor, who called police. No arrests have been made.

Noteworthy. Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his broken left forearm. . . . Former New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor was released on $500 bond Sunday night in Miami after his arrest in a hit-and-run traffic accident in nearby Hialeah, Fla. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Vince Lombardi's life will be depicted in a Broadway stage production next fall that is based on the best-selling book When Pride Still Mattered, about the late Green Bay Packers coach. The book was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss. . . . Cleveland has not sold out Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, so the Browns are facing their first TV blackout since 1995.