LaDainian Tomlinson might miss Steelers' game

A groin injury is hurting LaDainian Tomlinson to the point that he might have to sit out the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The star running back isn't sure if a week's worth of treatment and rest is going to be enough to allow him to play.

"I don't know. It's tough," Tomlinson said after the Chargers' light workout on Monday. "This is a tough injury. I would probably venture to say it's probably the toughest of my career. We'll see what happens."

Harrison wins defensive honor

Pittsburgh's James Harrison has been voted The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year.

The linebacker, who had a career-high 16 sacks to set a team record and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas' DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters. Harrison earned 22 votes to 13 for Ware. Baltimore safety Ed Reed, the 2004 winner, got eight votes.

Notes

• Scott Pioli has become a hot commodity among a few teams hoping to rebuild.

Pioli, one of the architects behind New England's three Super Bowl victories, is talking to Kansas City about its vacant general manager's job. He has also been courted by Cleveland for its GM position.

Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos interviewed Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay's defensive backs coach and newly appointed defensive coordinator, about the coaching job that opened when Mike Shanahan was fired.

Also, the New York Jets will interview Cardinals offensive-line coach Russ Grimm on Thursday in Arizona about their coaching vacancy.

In St. Louis, former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel is among perhaps five candidates the Rams could interview for their coaching vacancy this week.

• Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin has a strained left hamstring and his status is uncertain for Saturday night's NFC divisional playoff game at Carolina.

• Michael Vick would have to keep a court official informed about his attempts to be reinstated by the NFL after his release from prison, under a revised bankruptcy plan proposed by his lawyers. The amended Chapter 11 reorganization plan was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newport News, Va. A committee representing Vick's creditors endorsed the plan and urged the creditors to vote for its confirmation.

• New England plans to put the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassel. Cassel's future hinges heavily on Tom Brady's recovery from a season-ending knee injury.

• Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy released six assistants, including five on defense: defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, defensive-ends coach Carl Hairston, defensive-tackles coach Robert Nunn, secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer and nickel package/cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington. Also let go was strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson.

• Vikings great Carl Eller sued the Minneapolis Police Department, alleging officers violated his civil rights, used excessive force and concealed videotape evidence when they subdued him during an arrest last April.