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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has a strained left hamstring and his status is uncertain for Saturday night's NFC divisional playoff game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

"We'll see how it goes this week," coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday.

Boldin was injured on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the second quarter of Arizona's 30-24 wild-card playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday.

Boldin was voted to his third Pro Bowl this season despite missing four games with injuries. Steve Breaston would move up to starting wide receiver along with Larry Fitzgerald if Boldin can't play. Jerheme Urban probably would be the No. 3 receiver, with rookie Early Doucet possibly seeing some playing time.

STEELERS: James Harrison slams down the current version of the Steel Curtain better than any Pittsburgh Steeler, earning him The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.

The linebacker, who had a career-high and team-record 16 sacks and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas' DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters. Pittsburgh defense was the league's stingiest in total defense, pass defense and points allowed. Harrison was its main hammer.

Harrison earned 22 votes to 13 for Ware. Baltimore safety Ed Reed, the 2004 winner, got eight votes. Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth had five and Harrison's teammate, safety Troy Polamalu, got two.

PATRIOTS: New England plans to put the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassel, according to a published report.

Cassel's future hinges heavily on Tom Brady's recovery from a season-ending knee injury in the first game this season.

Franchising Cassel would keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent and give the Patriots an option if they feel Brady might not be ready for the start of the 2009 season. If they're confident that Brady will be ready, they'd be able to trade Cassel.

The Patriots' plan for Cassel was first reported by the National Football Post.