The Pittsburgh Steelers have no knowledge that Ben Roethlisberger played the Super Bowl with two broken ribs, as the quarterback told a Web site.

According to www.SI.com, Roethlisberger said his fractured ribs did not show up on X-rays taken before he led the Steelers to a 27-23 win over Arizona on Feb. 1, but were revealed only during an MRI test he had last week.

"Luckily, in the game, I didn't take any big hits to make 'em hurt," Roethlisberger told www.SI.com. "But I knew all along there was something wrong. There wouldn't have been anything that could have been done about fractured ribs anyway. It was just suck it up and play."

Roethlisberger did not miss any practices before the Super Bowl, although a pool report from the Wednesday practice said he attempted during the middle of the workout to stretch his torso. He missed one practice during the off week before the Super Bowl because of what the team said was a back injury.

"There's not a whole lot to say," Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said yesterday. "Ben was fine to go. He was cleared to play. He didn't miss any (practice) time. There was no doubt he was going to play."

The Steelers said it would have been difficult for Roethlisberger to play any better than he did in leading the decisive 78-yard drive that ended with a precisely thrown 6-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds remaining, Several plays before, Roethlisberger — leading his sixth game-winning drive of the season — hit Holmes on a 40-yard completion.

Roethlisberger did not mention any possible injury during post-game interviews.

It is uncertain if the validity of Roethlisberger's claim will be proven, and he has previously exaggerated or misstated injuries he supposedly suffered during his five-season career.

'PACMAN' SITUATION

TROUBLED EX-COWBOY JONES CLEARS WAIVES

Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones is looking for a team again.

While several other NFL teams were releasing former starters yesterday on the first day waivers could be sought, none made the kind of headlines Jones has created throughout a pro career now in serious jeopardy.

Last season with the Cowboys, Jones was suspended for six games by the NFL after an alcohol-related scuffle in October with a team-provided bodyguard at a Dallas hotel.

He came to Dallas after being suspended for the entire 2007 season following multiple off-field incidents while with Tennessee. The Cowboys acquired him in a trade during the draft in April, and commissioner Roger Goodell cleared him to play at the end of the preseason.

Expected to give the Cowboys a boost on defense and special teams, Jones had 31 tackles and no interceptions in his nine games, including six starts. He averaged only 4.5 yards on his 21 punt returns, with a long of 18 yards.

Before coming to Dallas, Jones was arrested six times and involved in 12 instances.

BUCCANEERS

BACKUP QUARTERBACK MCCOWN RE-SIGNS

Backup quarterback Luke McCown re-signed with Tampa Bay.

McCown, a fourth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2004, has appeared in seven games over four seasons with the Bucs, including three starts in 2007.

The 27-year-old also started four games for the Browns as a rookie and has thrown for 1,617 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 career games.

"Luke McCown is a talented and athletic quarterback who we have gotten to know well over the last four years," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "I know he is looking forward to the opportunity to be an integral part of our quarterback group this season."

ELSEWHERE

Giants: New York re-signed David Carr to back up Eli Manning at quarterback, and released three veterans who finished the 2008 season on injured reserve: defensive backs Sam Madison and Sammy Knight, and running back Reuben Droughns. Carr, the first overall pick by Houston in 2002, the team's first season in the NFL, threw only 12 passes last season, completing nine for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Lions: Detroit began its rebuilding from the first 0-16 record in league history by cutting six players. High-priced cornerback Leigh Bodden, wide receiver Mike Furrey, guard Edwin Mulitalo, safety Dwight Smith and tight end Dan Campbell all were frequent starters. Also released was offensive tackle Jon Dunn.

Browns: Quarterbacks Ken Dorsey and Bruce Gradkowski, who both started games for Cleveland last season, were cut. The Browns also terminated the contracts of linebacker Antwan Peek, cornerback Terry Cousin, punter Mike Dragosavich, kicker Jason Reda and offensive lineman Eric Young.