Chukky

Okobi

Head coach Bill Cowher fears the injury may be career-threatening. Rookie Marvin Philip will back up Pro Bowler Jeff Hartings for now.

Jeff Hartings’ backup had a ruptured disk in his kneck. The surgery was a success and Okobi may be able to play at some point this year.

Cardinals C Al Johnson was injured Monday night against the Niners. Okobi will be reunited with former Steelers coach and current Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and former Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

Okobi was no longer needed with the emergence of Lyle Sendlein. Vincent adds depth at guard for now, but could challenge to start sooner than later.

Chukky Okobi will run with the first team at center over Sean Mahan; Deshea Townsend over Bryant McFadden at right cornerback; Ryan Clark over Anthony Smith at free safety; Max Starks at right tackle over Willie Colon. However, none of this means anything unless the players produce in training camp.

Both are in contract years. Simmons is in the hunt to replace retired Jeff Hartings at center but is behind Chukky Okobi and possibly Sean Mahan at the moment. Starks will face in-camp competition from Willie Colon.

With a $2 million base salary, Okobi may be too expensive to keep around as a backup who can play only one position. Arizona could be interested in him.

He showed up to camp with a starting job, and didn’t make the team. Look for Arizona to show interest in him.

Okobi was once viewed as the center of the future in Pittsburgh, but ruptured a disc in his neck in 2006 and was cut by the Cardinals last year. The Texans will give him a shot to make the team, most likely as a backup.

The deal includes a $700,000 signing bonus.