Sports Briefing

PRO FOOTBALL Steelers Down to No. 3 Running Back Willie Parker, a college backup at North Carolina two years ago, will probably be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting running back on opening day. Parker seems all but certain to start Sept. 11 against Tennessee because of injuries to Jerome Bettis (strained right calf) and Duce Staley (torn meniscus in knee). Bettis, hurt Friday against the Redskins, had a magnetic resonance imaging test Saturday, and Coach Bill Cowher said yesterday that Bettis would probably will be listed as doubtful for Tennessee, meaning there is a 75 percent chance he will not play. Staley said he could play a reduced role by the opener, although the team seems determined not to rush him back. PEYTON MANNING'S INJURY NOT SERIOUS -- Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy said yesterday that quarterback Peyton Manning's bruised left shoulder was not serious enough to keep him out of games or practices. He added that Manning, a two-time most valuable player, should be ready when the Colts open the season at Baltimore. Manning was injured in the third quarter against Denver on Saturday, when cornerback Darrent Williams ran unblocked into the backfield and sacked him. An X-ray afterward was negative. SCARE FOR RAMS' FAIR -- St. Louis cornerback Terry Fair had full feeling in his extremities and never lost consciousness after spraining his neck while tackling Lions running back Kevin Jones last night in the Rams' 37-13 victory at Detroit. Fair lay motionless facedown on the turf for several minutes before being strapped to a backboard and taken off the field late in the first quarter. He was taken to Henry Ford Hospital for a precautionary evaluation. Marc Bulger, the Rams' quarterback, passed for one touchdown and ran for another. SHANAHAN TALKS ABOUT CLARETT -- To Coach Mike Shanahan, the reason running back Maurice Clarett is not with the Denver Broncos anymore is pretty simple. ''We have four guys I believe can play,'' he said yesterday, while answering questions about why he decided to waive Clarett, the surprise third-round draft choice. Clarett, who starred for Ohio State's 2002 national championship team, was slowed by an injured groin muscle and never made an impact in training camp. And when Quentin Griffin made his preseason debut Saturday against the Colts and showed that his surgically repaired knee was healthy, the Broncos knew they had their foursome at tailback: Griffin, Ron Dayne, Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson. CYCLING Cycling Un