Steelers RB coach injured in Pa. fire

PITTSBURGH - Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was hospitalized after sustaining burns to his arms and legs in a house fire early Friday morning.

Authorities say the fire broke out around 3 a.m. in Wilson's home in Seven Fields, a northern Pittsburgh suburb. Firefighters told borough manager Tom Smith the blaze started in the kitchen and Wilson suffered "moderate to severe" burns.

Wilson, 50, was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known but the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. He will not travel with the team for Sunday's wild-card game in Denver.

Wilson is in his fifth season as running backs coach, joining the staff when head coach Mike Tomlin was hired in 2007. Wilson has been instrumental in the development of running back Rashard Mendenhall, who gained over 1,100 yards in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Wilson spent this week prepping third-year back Isaac Redman to face the Broncos after Mendenhall tore the ACL in his right knee in last week's win over Cleveland.

Steelers president Art Rooney II said he was team was "saddened" by the news.

"We know that he has the best medical care in the country treating him," Rooney said in a statement posted on the team's website. "The entire organization is praying for Kirby to have a full recovery and we will be by his side through this difficult time."

Wilson, who is from Los Angeles, played running back and wide receiver at Illinois before playing briefly in the Canadian Football League. He coached running backs in New England, Washington, Arizona and Tampa Bay before joining the Steelers.