PITTSBURGH, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed starting cornerback Chad Scott on injured reserve, thus ending his season.
Scott tore the flexor tendon in his right hand in a Nov. 23 win at Cleveland and will undergo surgery next Tuesday.
"It was an injury that requires immediate surgical repair," said Coach Bill Cowher. "He had it protected, but the injury recurred on Sunday."
Dewayne Washington, who was benched three weeks ago, will return as the starter at right cornerback, and Deshea Townsend will shift to Scott's spot at left cornerback.
Scott, a first-round pick in 1997 out of Maryland, has started 81 games for Pittsburgh. It will take at least six weeks for him to come back from the injury.
The Steelers activated rookie safety Russell Stuvaints from the practice squad to replace Scott on the roster.
