The Atlanta Falcons are looking at alternatives for slumping kicker Jason Elam, a University of Hawai'i alum.

The Falcons brought Steve Hauschka, Sam Swant and Shane Andrus and former Georgia standout Brandon Coutu to their practice facility for tryouts yesterday at Flowery Branch, Ga.

Hauschka, Swant and Andrus have NFL experience. Coutu was drafted by Seattle in 2008, but did not make the team.

The 39-year-old Elam has made only 10 of 16 field goals this season and ranks 30th in the league with his 62.5 percent success rate.

Of most concern, Elam has made only three of seven attempts from 30 to 39 yards, including a missed 35-yarder in Sunday's overtime loss to the New York Giants.

Elam, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, made 29 of 31 field-goal attempts overall in 2008, his first season with the Falcons.

STEELERS

QB WILL PLAY SUNDAY

Ben Roethlisberger's fourth concussion since 2006 apparently won't put him on the bench.

Roethlisberger will play Sunday in Baltimore as long as he continues to pass post-concussion tests, coach Mike Tomlin said yesterday.

"He felt normal. He felt fine," Tomlin said of Roethlisberger's first round of testing.

Roethlisberger's head inadvertently struck the knee of the Chiefs' Derrick Johnson in overtime during Pittsburgh's loss in Kansas City on Sunday.

COWBOYS

TIGHT END HURTING

Dallas tight end Jason Witten might miss tomorrow's game against Oakland because of a sprained foot.

"I won't say it's severe, but it's something that worries us about him being able to play this week," Dallas coach Wade Phillips said yesterday.

Witten has played 107 of a possible 108 games in his career, missing only a single week in his rookie season after having surgery to put three plates in to protect a broken jaw.

Witten was hurt in Dallas' 7-6 victory over Washington on Sunday.

BILLS

SHANAHAN CONTACTED

A person familiar with the Buffalo Bills coaching search says two-time Super Bowl-winner Mike Shanahan is considered a legitimate candidate to take over the job.

The Bills have contacted Shanahan, the person familiar with the search told The Associated Press yesterday on condition of anonymity.

Shanahan has been out of football after being fired by the Broncos at the end of last season.

Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell took over as interim coach when Dick Jauron was fired last week.

ELSEWHERE

Dolphins: Linebacker Matt Roth was released by Miami, and the team signed cornerback Evan Oglesby and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis. Alama-Francis, a Kaläheo High and UH alum, was a second-round pick by Detroit in 2007.

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris will call defensive plays for the Buccaneers after demoting defensive coordinator Jim Bates following a 1-9 start. The Bucs are 26th in the NFL in total defense, allowing just over 378 yards per game.