National Football League

Steelers' Clark to sit out in Denver

Published Jan. 3, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark will not play in Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Broncos because of a medical condition that is affected by Denver's high altitude.

Clark, 32, has a sickle cell trait and experienced a violent reaction when the Steelers played at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in 2007. He sat out the Steelers' regular-season game in Denver in 2009 because of the condition.

"I met with him and informed him I am not going to allow him to play in the game," head coach Mike Tomlin said, according to the team's website. "It was an easy decision for us. When looking at all of our data we came to the determination he is at more risk, so we are not going to play him. It's that simple."

Clark had a near-fatal reaction while playing in Denver in 2007. He had to be rushed to a local hospital during the game and had his spleen and gall bladder removed.

Clark could be at risk of damage to his heart or brain if he plays again in high altitude, which causes players to become fatigued faster.

Clark confirmed on Twitter that he will sit out of the game.

"Well I guess we all know now. I will not be playing. Glad that it's out now. So no more questions to ask. Thanks for your concern!" Clark tweeted.

Ryan Mundy will start in Clark's place at free safety alongside four-time Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu.

"I'm so confident that the boys will handle biz on Sunday! [Mundy] is a baller so we're straight! Can't wait to see my guys do work!" Clark tweeted.

The Steelers will also be without starting running back Rashard Mendenhall for the entirety of the playoffs after he suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's win at Cleveland.