Steelers' Super Bowl starter Stapleton out for season

Right guard Darnell Stapleton, an undrafted player who started in the Super Bowl for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury and will miss the season.With Stapleton out, Trai Essex will begin the season as the Steelers' right guard.Stapleton injured his left knee during the first week of training camp and had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage. He was expected to be ready by the start of the season, but coach Mike Tomlin said Monday he may need more surgery.The Steelers also cut wide receivers Martin Nance and Steven Black, safety Derrick Richardson and center Alex Stepanovich.Stapleton, who played center at Rutgers, made the Steelers' roster in 2007 mostly because of his ability to play multiple positions. He started 12 of the Steelers' 16 regular season games and all three playoff games last season after Kendall Simmons injured his Achilles.