Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who hasn't seen action since Nov. 15 because of a knee injury, says he hopes to play at least once before the end of the season.

PITTSBURGH — Troy Polamalu hopes to play at least one more game this season, even though the slumping Pittsburgh Steelers have only a slim chance of making the playoffs.

Polamalu has missed eight games and most of two others with a pair of ligament injuries in his left knee. He hasn't played since the opening series against Cincinnati on Nov. 15 and probably won't play against Green Bay Sunday, when the Steelers (6-7) will try to end a five-game losing streak.

The five-time Pro Bowl safety said Monday he wants to return "at least" for the regular season finale at Miami on Jan. 3, even if the game is meaningless to Pittsburgh. The Steelers also play Dec. 27 against Baltimore.

"Why not?" said Polamalu, who is wearing a large, protective brace on the knee. "I'm a football player. I'm not a coach, I'm not a cheerleader. What I love to do is play football and be out there with my brothers. That's why. It's always been irrelevant for me whether or not we go to the Super Bowl or playoffs. It's something I enjoy."

Asked last week what it would take to play again this season, Polamalu said, "A whole lot of healing (in the knee). A whole lot of prayers."

Losing one of the NFL's best defensive players has significantly affected the Super Bowl champion Steelers. They are 4-0 when Polamalu is on the field for at least one quarter — beating Tennessee, Minnesota and Denver — but 2-7 when he is out or plays only a handful of downs, as he did against Cincinnati.