Townsend suffers broken thumb

Starting right cornerback Deshea Townsend suffered a broken thumb during practice on Tuesday and will not play in Friday night's pre-season game at Philadelphia, perhaps opening the door for second-year CB Bryant McFadden to take over the right corner position.

"He has a slight fracture of his thumb," said head coach Bill Cowher, referring to Townsend. "Deshea will not play this week, and we'll take it week-to-week from there. It will not require surgery, which is a good thing."