Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ricardo Colclough will miss the rest of the season because of a neck injury that apparently developed during the bye week.

Colclough's fumbled punt on only his fourth career return led to Cincinnati's pivotal score in the Steelers' last game, a 28-20 loss to the Bengals on Sept. 24.

He did not report having any neck problems last week but, after returning from the weekend off, he complained of having a sore neck.

Colclough practiced during non-contact drills for two days and initially was listed as questionable for tonight's game at San Diego, but said he feared the injury was "serious." When tests revealed a nerve problem, the Steelers placed him on the injured reserve list yesterday and promoted rookie cornerback Anthony Madison to the 53-man roster.

"We really don't know how" he was injured, coach Bill Cowher said. "It's something he's been feeling for a week."

The Steelers pulled Colclough off their punt return team even before the injury. Rookies Willie Reid and Santonio Holmes will divide the returns today.

BROWNS

CORNERBACK SHORTAGE WITH BAXTER OUT

Cleveland cornerback Gary Baxter was downgraded yesterday from questionable to out because of a strained left pectoral muscle and won't travel with the team for its game today at Carolina.

It will be the third straight game Baxter has missed with the injury. He missed 10 games last season with a torn right pectoral.

Leigh Bodden, their other starting cornerback, is listed as questionable with a sprained right ankle.

DOLPHINS

MORRIS ACTIVATED AFTER SERVING SUSPENSION

Running back Sammy Morris, suspended for the season's first four games following a violation of the NFL's steroid policy, was activated yesterday by the Miami Dolphins.

Morris is expected to be on the active roster today when the Dolphins visit New England.

To make room for Morris, the Dolphins waived offensive lineman Will Whitticker.