But the player who had 117 sacks in 11 seasons for the Dolphins -- the most of any active player -- and had started 130 consecutive games, the NFL's sixth-longest active streak through 2007 has been a shadow of his Miami self.

Taylor had a procedure on Monday to relieve pressure in his left calf that was surgically repaired on an emergency basis five weeks earlier. Taylor's calf was lanced to make sure that it was draining properly in hopes of avoiding a recurrence of the compartment syndrome that necessitated the Sept. 22 operation.

"There was a skin infection that we're taking care of with antibiotics," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. "There is swelling ... so much swelling that it makes it hard to close the wound. He's not going to do anything for the next three days. We're going to try and eliminate any kind of swelling."

Zorn said that Taylor, who missed the first two games after his calf surgery, likely won't play in Monday's game against Pittsburgh since the following bye week would give the 34-year-old two full weeks of rest before Washington (6-2) begins its seven-game playoff push.

The Redskins have established themselves as a serious contender with virtually nothing from Taylor, who has just 13 tackles (six solos), one sack, three hurries and seven passes defensed. One of the latter came in Sunday's 25-17 victory at winless Detroit as did one of the solo tackles.

To be fair, Taylor has hardly been healthy in Washington. He skipped Miami's entire offseason conditioning program, organized team activities and minicamps while "Dancing with the Stars" and so arrived at Redskin Park without having been on the field in nearly seven months.

Taylor sprained his right knee in the Aug. 21 preseason loss at Carolina and rushed to get back for the Sept. 4 opener against the New York Giants. He had seven tackles and his sack in the first three games before his calf became an issue. Taylor had five tackles in his first post-surgical game but was blanked the following week except for two passes defensed.

"I've been hurt for a month and it hasn't changed," Taylor said before the latest procedure.

Taylor isn't the only ailing Redskin. Cornerback Shawn Springs will miss a fifth game in nine and third in a row with a calf that Zorn said an MRI revealed "a pretty good strain."

The coach expects five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee) and rookie safety Chris Horton (ankle), both late scratches against the Lions, to return against the Steelers. Zorn also believes that defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, who missed the Detroit game with a sprained shoulder, will play on Monday, too, as will NFL rushing leader Clinton Portis (hip, ankle) and ace receiver Santana Moss (hamstring).