The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette doesn't "think" the Steelers are interested in re-signing free agent NT Casey Hampton.

Hampton, 36 in September, hasn't drawn an ounce of interest in free agency. The Steelers locked up Steve McLendon to a three-year, $7.25 million last month to be Hampton's replacement. The 12-year veteran may have to wait for an injury to find a job, or he could end up calling it a career.

The Steelers are unlikely to re-sign impending free agent NT Casey Hampton.

Hampton, 36 at the start of next season, has spent his entire 12-year career in Pittsburgh and is coming off a season in which he started all 16 games for just the third time. The Steelers have Steve McLendon and 2012 fourth-round pick Alameda Ta'amu as potential replacements in an effort to get younger up front.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton said he wants to play two more years.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) has been activated from camp/PUP.

He can begin participating in drills immediately, although the NFL's new CBA has a three-day no contact rule for guys just activated from "lists" or signed. Hampton is 35 years old, and it's fair to wonder whether he'll be as effective after the reconstructive knee surgery. We still like Pittsburgh to be among the league's top run-defending teams. They always are.

NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) is likely entering his final year with the Steelers.

There is no definitive target date for NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) to begin practicing.

Hampton is only six months removed some surgery and on the active/PUP list. The timetable for interior linemen is certainly shorter than one for skill player, but this figures to be a race to get ready for Week 1. Hampton is also entering his age-35 season and has 157 games of wear on his resume.

Despite tearing his left ACL in January, Steelers NT Casey Hampton is confident he'll be ready for Week 1.

He had surgery on January 27 after tearing the ligament on January 8. Asked whether he might open the season on PUP, Hampton replied, "Nah, I can't see that happening. I feel like I'm ready to go." The Steelers protected themselves by using a fourth-round pick on 350-pound NT Alameda Ta'amu out of Washington.

Speaking at the owners meetings Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin conceded NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) is a candidate to begin the year on the PUP list.

Casey Hampton has restructured his contract, a source tells Mac's Football Blog.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert was "emphatic" Thursday that NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) will be on the 53-man roster in 2012.

Hampton is due a $4.89 million base salary and counts $8.1 million against the salary cap, but the Steelers firmly believe nose tackles recover better from ACL surgeries than skill-position players. That's undoubtedly true, but Hampton is no lock to turn in a 16-game season after tearing the ligament in early January. He's a candidate to open the year on PUP.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette puts the odds of NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) and James Farrior returning at roughly 50 percent each.

Whether or not Hampton takes a paycut to return, the Steelers are in need of a nose tackle with Chris Hoke hanging up the spikes. The team has had internal discussions about moving disappointing LE Ziggy Hood to the nose this offseason. The good news is undersized Steve McLendon played well as a fill-in down the stretch.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he wants to play in 2012.

Hampton isn't going to his $4.89 million salary ($8 million against the cap), but the Post-Gazette suggests he could restructure to return to the Steelers. Hampton will turn 35 just before the start of the season.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton will undergo surgery to repair his torn left ACL on Friday.

Hampton initially hoped to heal the ACL with "rest and rehab," but doctors apparently informed him a reconstruction was required. It's the third ACL surgery of Hampton's 11-year career, and will almost certainly cost him several games to open the 2012 season. The operation also makes it more likely that Hampton will be released. The 34-year-old's cap number is $8.1 million.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton has an $8.1 million salary cap number for 2012.

ESPN's Adam Schefter expects that to "grab (the) attention" of a Steelers team currently projected to be $23 million over the 2012 cap. Attempting to recover from an ACL injury through rest and rehab, Hampton will be asked to take a pay-cut if he's not released heading into his age-35 campaign.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton is not scheduled to undergo surgery for the ACL injury suffered in last week's game.

Hampton's ACL must not be fully torn. He's going to try to repair the injury through rest and rehab, though surgery may become an option down the line. It's a key factor in Hampton's chances of returning to the Steelers at $4.89 million in his age-34 season.

Coach Mike Tomlin revealed at his Monday press conference that NT Casey Hampton and LT Max Starks suffered ACL injuries in the Steelers' Wild Card round loss to the Broncos.

If the ACLs are torn -- and that's what we would expect -- both players will need reconstructive surgery and may have to open next year on the PUP list. Starks is an impending free agent. Hampton, who turns 35 before next season, is owed a $4.89 million salary in the final year of his contract. The injuries create large need areas on both lines entering the offseason.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton (knee) and RG Brett Keisel (groin) both exited Sunday's Wild Card game in the first half with injuries.

Keisel quickly shed his helmet and donned sweatpants on the sideline, suggesting he's not coming back in. Hampton's helmet is off and he's a now spectator. The Steelers are rolling with Steve McLendon on the nose and youngsters Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward on the defensive ends.

Coach Mike Tomlin expects NT Casey Hampton (shoulder) to return to practice on Wednesday.

The run-stuffer has a chance to return for a big game against the Patriots after missing three weeks with a shoulder injury. OLB James Harrison (eye) is expected to miss a fourth consecutive game.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton (shoulder) is expected to miss a second straight game this week.

Veteran backup Chris Hoke will make a second consecutive start. LE Aaron Smith (foot) and OLB James Harrison (eye) will also sit out again, leaving Maurice Jones-Drew to face a banged up defense allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton has been ruled out for Week 5 due to a shoulder injury.

It's a surprise scratch and another matchup boost for Chris Johnson, who will face a Pittsburgh defense also minus OLB James Harrison (eye) and LE Aaron Smith (foot). Hampton is a five-time Pro Bowler and has been the Steelers' top run defender so far this season. His backup is 35-year-old Chris Hoke.