Bengals’ Palmer Listed as Probable

Quarterback Carson Palmer left the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice Thursday because of back spasms but is expected to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Palmer, the top overall pick in last year’s draft out of USC, has taken every snap in his first season running the offense. He developed back spasms during the first half of a practice that was closed to the media.

“He spent the second half in treatment,” Coach Marvin Lewis said. “We expect he’ll be fine.”

Palmer was listed as probable for the game. The Heisman Trophy winner didn’t play in his rookie season, watching as Jon Kitna took every snap and won the league’s comeback-player-of-the-year award. Kitna is the backup this season.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are about to reward Jerome Bettis for one of the best three-game stretches of his career with some time off, even if he doesn’t really want it.

With starter Duce Staley expected to play Sunday against the Washington Redskins after sitting out three games because of a bruised hamstring, Bettis returns to the bench as the Steelers go for their ninth consecutive victory.

Bettis passed Tony Dorsett on Sunday to move into fifth place in NFL career rushing with 12,863 yards; the New York Jets’ Curtis Martin is right behind him.

Bettis averaged 127 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, Browns and Bengals. That is higher than Staley’s 101-yard average, though Staley has four 100-yard games in his last five starts.

“This is Duce’s job,” said Bettis, who had 91 carries the last three weeks after getting only 52 in the first seven games.

At least one Steeler back has rushed for 100 yards or more in all but two of their 10 games. Said Staley: “I strongly believe we have the best 1-2 combination in the league.”

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Seattle Seahawk quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s injured right thigh is improving, thanks partly to acupuncture treatments, and he could be ready to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Hasselbeck is listed as questionable and didn’t practice Wednesday because of the deep bruise just above his knee. He did not play in last week’s 24-17 victory over Miami after being hurt on the first play Nov. 14 at St. Louis.

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The NFL sent a memo to all its teams reminding them about the league’s commitment to security following last week’s brawl at an NBA game. The league said no new security measures were needed.

“The league wants to make sure we’re being consistent and diligent in respect to our standard security procedures,” Detroit Lion spokesman Bill Keenist said.

Various authorities are involved in security at Lion games, including FBI agents, Ford Field spokeswoman Risa Balayem said.

The New York Times first reported the memo, which was sent by the league to stress policies regarding fan conduct and the safety of players and other personnel during games.