PITTSBURGH -- Ryan Clark may be saying everything he needs to say with his growing silence.

The Pittsburgh Steelers safety is usually one of the team's most talkative players, but he is saying little as it becomes increasingly likely he won't play Monday in Denver due to a rare blood condition that nearly caused him to die after playing there two years ago.

Nearly all of Clark's teammates are urging him to skip the game. The other Steelers safeties are being readied to play, and Clark does not appear as upbeat or as excited as he normally does before a game. Before practice on Thursday, when he often chats with reporters, he sat alone in front of his locker, looking at messages on his cell phone.