Najeh Davenport was released yesterday by the Pittsburgh Steelers, five weeks after they brought back their former top backup running back following a number of injuries.

Davenport, the Steelers' starter during their wild-card playoff loss to Jacksonville in January, was let go even though starter Willie Parker is not expected to play today against Indianapolis because of a sore shoulder.

Davenport's roster spot was taken by linebacker Donovan Woods, who was taken off the 53-man roster last month but was added to the practice squad. Woods has played on special teams in four games this season.

Davenport, a former Packer, spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with Pittsburgh but was released in June. He was re-signed last month after Parker injured a knee, first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was lost for the season with a shoulder injury and fullback Carey Davis sprained an ankle.

In two-plus seasons with Pittsburgh, Davenport ran for 768 yards, seven touchdowns and a 4.3 yards per carry average. He also had three touchdowns on pass receptions.

GIANTS

LEAGUE RESCINDS FINE ON DE TUCK

The NFL has rescinded a $7,500 fine against New York defensive end Justin Tuck for a hit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Brooks Bollinger last weekend.

Ray Anderson, the NFL's vice president of operations, called Tuck on Friday night to inform him of the change, the Giants said in an e-mail yesterday.

Tuck had insisted the hit was legal and Giants coach Tom Coughlin agreed with his player on Monday.

Tuck hit Bollinger in the midsection as the quarterback released a pass and his momentum carried both to the ground on the third-down play in the fourth quarter.

Tuck was penalized for roughing the passer. The league originally determined that Tuck had unnecessarily driven Bollinger to the ground and issued the fine on Friday.

ELSEWHERE

Redskins: Washington waived cornerback Leigh Torrence yesterday to make room for new signee DeAngelo Hall. Hall agreed to a one-year deal with the Redskins on Friday, less than a week after being cut by the Oakland Raiders. He signed his contract after passing a physical. Torrence joined the Redskins as a free agent in December 2006.