Steelers lose another starting tackle

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers, preparing for a wild-card playoff game against Jacksonville, have lost a second starting tackle, Max Starks, to injury.

Starks, who had been starting at left tackle, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and is out for the rest of the season, the team announced. Starks played in 16 games in 2007, four in place of left tackle Marvel Smith, who is also gone following back surgery.

Also lost for the playoffs is veteran Clint Kriewaldt, out with a neck injury. Kriewaldt played in 14 games this season, mostly on special teams.

Third-string tackle Troy Essex, who has been inactive most of the season, likely will start in place of Starks, but it was not known what position Essex would play.

Some offensive line shuffling was expected but Coach Mike Tomlin said, "We don't necessarily want to show our hand ... ."

The Steelers brought Jeremy Parquet up from the practice squad and signed rookie offensive lineman Jason Capizzi to the active roster.

The Steelers (10-6) and Jaguars (11-5) meet Saturday night in Pittsburgh.