Mark Sanchez is learning how to slide like a Yankee.

Don't worry, Jets fans. The rookie quarterback isn't looking to trade in his pads for pinstripes. He was just working on his sliding technique Tuesday with Yankees manager Joe Girardi , who guided New York to its 27th World Series title last month.

"I've never really been a slider," Sanchez said. "In baseball, I slid headfirst. In football, I've done the same thing or tried to get out of bounds or throw the ball away. It's something that you need to learn at this level."

Coach Rex Ryan wants Sanchez to make more of a conscious effort to slide and avoid potential injuries.

Sanchez is nursing a sore left knee, which he injured when he was tackled at the end of a scramble in New York's 17-6 win over Carolina on Sunday.

Girardi instructed Sanchez how to hook his right leg correctly, and how to protect the ball while sliding. The quarterback found out Girardi was going to be his special sliding instructor just before practice.

"Coach said he'd have someone out to work with me on sliding," Sanchez said. "I thought he meant it would be one of the coaches, or a quarterback coach or something."

Ryan said he had no idea who was going to show up from the Yankees organization.

"I knew whoever it would be from the Yankees would be a lot more impactful than if I would teach Sanchez to slide," he said. "As far as I was hitting them, I never had to slide when I was a kid."

Roethlisberger plans to play Sunday

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has worked out without problems since missing Sunday night's game in Baltimore with a concussion and is expected to play Sunday against Oakland.

Roethlisberger was held out of the 20-17 overtime loss to the Ravens after having post-practice headaches Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A team doctor recommended Saturday that he not play.

Chiefs to retire Thomas' jersey

The late Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas will be the 10th player in Kansas City Chiefs history to have his number retired.

The Chiefs will retire No. 58 on Sunday during halftime of their game with the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.

Thomas had completed his 11th NFL season when he died in February 2000 following a crash a month earlier. The nine-time Pro Bowl selection had a franchise-record 1261/2 career sacks, including an NFL-record seven sacks in one game.

Around the league

Falcons » Atlanta released 17-year veteran kicker Jason Elam , who was just 8 of 15 on field-goal attempts from at least 30 yards this season.

Bears » Chicago signed linebacker Cato June to a one-year contract.

Eagles » Tight end Brent Celek signed a six-year contract extension. He's tied for seventh in receptions (54), fifth in yards (601), and tied for fourth in touchdowns (5) among all NFL tight ends.