PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has not been ruled out of Sunday's key game against the New York Giants despite sustaining the seventh concussion of his career last weekend.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Polamalu received a concussion while tackling Bengals running back Cedric Benson on Sunday, the same play on which cornerback Bryant McFadden broke his right forearm. McFadden is expected to be out at least a month.

Despite Polamalu's history of concussions, he may not miss any playing time.

"Tests are favorable at this point, he's slated to practice (today) and we'll see how he goes," Tomlin said.

Polamalu's sometimes reckless tackling style in which he launches headfirst into a ball carrier has made him susceptible to concussions, although this is his first in the NFL since he was hurt tackling the Saints' Reggie Bush Nov. 12, 2006.

The decision whether the four-time Pro Bowl safety plays Sunday is up to team doctors, Tomlin said. The Steelers, as with other NFL teams, don't allow a player to return from a concussion until he passes a series of tests that compare cognitive skills before and after a concussion.

Doctors and researchers working in the same medical complex where the Steelers train helped develop the tests.

"That decision is very easy, we simply do what the doctors tell us to do. Right now the tests are favorable, and we will continue to test him throughout the week," Tomlin said. "Those decisions are always easy because we leave it up to the professionals."

McFadden had surgery Monday to repair the arm — a stabilizing plate was installed — and Tomlin said he will be evaluated after a couple of weeks.

Two other Steelers starters, fullback Carey Davis (ankle) and Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton (groin), may play Sunday. Hampton has missed three games and Davis two.

Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker, out for three weeks with a knee injury, also may return for the matchup of first-place teams with 5-1 records. The Steelers lead the AFC North by two games and the Super Bowl champion Giants own a half-game lead over Washington in the NFC East.