Cardinals will start Skelton on Sunday | Seattle Times Newspaper

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona's John Skelton will be back at starting quarterback when the Cardinals play the Seahawks on Sunday in Seattle.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt, whose team is mired in an eight-game losing streak, announced after Wednesday's practice that Skelton would replace rookie Ryan Lindley after two starts.

Skelton called it "another opportunity."

A third-year pro from Fordham, Skelton beat out Kevin Kolb for the starting job before the season, then went down late in the opener against Seattle with an ankle injury. Kolb came on to direct the winning touchdown drive against the Seahawks and helped the team get off to a 4-0 start.

When Kolb went out with a rib injury against Buffalo, Skelton came on and started the next four games before being benched in favor of Lindley. With Lindley making his second start last Sunday, the Cardinals had one of their worst offensive performances in franchise history in a 7-6 loss at the New York Jets. Arizona tied a franchise record with five first downs and was 0 for 15 on third-down conversions.

Roethlisberger nears return

PITTSBURGH — Steelers coach Mike Tomlin challenged Ben Roethlisberger to prove his sprained right shoulder is ready to go before handing the keys to the offense back to his franchise quarterback.

A few dozen passes appear to have provided a pretty compelling argument.

Admittedly a little rusty while going through his first serious workout since injuring his shoulder and dislocating a rib Nov. 12, Roethlisberger reported no major issues after letting it loose and seems on track to start Sunday against San Diego.

Tomlin declined to name Roethlisberger the starter against the reeling Chargers (4-8) but sounded very much like a coach running out of reasons to keep his team's MVP on the sideline.

Notes

• New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said he is sticking with embattled Mark Sanchez this week as the starting quarterback. Said Sanchez: "I knew at some point before I died, I'd start at quarterback again. I'm glad it's this week."

• Heads bowed, somber past and present Kansas City Chiefs players turned out for a memorial service for teammate Jovan Belcher, who killed his girlfriend and then himself over the weekend.

• The Tennessee Titans placed guard Steve Hutchinson, a former Seahawk, on injured reserve because of an injured right knee and claimed guard Mitch Petrus off waivers from New England.

• The Minnesota Vikings placed ailing wide receiver Percy Harvin (ankle) on injured reserve, abruptly ending a season that began so well for one of the NFL's most versatile players.

• Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay (neck) was placed on injured reserve for the first time in his 10-year career.

• Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen returned to the team after the death of his father.

By Seattle Times news services