Wilson: Steelers' Clark wanted to play in Denver

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark is glad that coach Mike Tomlin took it out of his hands and forbid him to play in Denver on Monday night as a precaution due to his rare blood disorder.

"I would have played," Clark said. "That just means he's smarter than I am because obviously I'm standing here right now, no ill effects at all."

Clark nearly died two years ago after playing in Denver, having his gall bladder and spleen removed due to the thin air aggravatin his sickle cell trait condition.

"I think it was as smart move by coach," Clark said. "I appreciated the fact that he did take it out of my hands. It kind of gave me a way to breathe either way. I didn't feel like I was cleared to play and I just chose not to because Coach Tomlin made the decision, and also if I do play and get sick I couldn't live with that either. So I do appreciated what he did and now it's time to move on."

With Clark out of the lineup, Tyrone Carter intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Clark noted that he was able to take part in warmup drills without incident.

"No ill effects at all," Clark said. "Worked out before the game, got a lot of tests run just so we could have more information how my body would react without a spleen and a gall bladder."

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