Steelers free safety Ryan Clark knocked Marty Booker from Thursday’s game in the first half with a head injury, but it was the Dolphins’ receiver who finished ahead, albeit in a 28-17 loss.
On a third-and-7 from the Dolphins’ 44 early with 10:28 remaining in the second quarter, quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw to Booker, who was drilled by Clark.
Booker landed on the football, which came loose. It was ruled an incompletion and Booker remained prone on the field. Dolphins coach Nick Saban seemed ready to challenge the ruling but changed his mind.
After several moments, Booker left the field, held up by three members of the medical staff.
Booker returned on the first series of the second half and beat Clark on a 52-yard catch-and-run to the Steelers’ 25. Five plays later, running back Ronnie Brown scored from 5 yards to give the Dolphins a short-lived 17-14 lead.
“I just wanted to come back and get us jump-started,” said Booker, who banged the left side of his head. “We just have to learn how to put the dagger in people.”
WELKER HAS FAST START
Slot receiver and kick return specialist Wes Welker, the subject of cut rumors early in training camp, carried the offense in the first half, accounting for 204 total yards to help set up all of their 10 points.
The 5-foot-9 Welker had four catches for 67 yards, including a 31-yard grab that resulted in Olindo Mare’s 26-yard field goal.
Welker also had a 47-yard punt return that led to Brown’s 2-yard touchdown plunge.
“Our special teams guys did a great job blocking for me and the rest is history,” said Welker, who added one catch for 3 yards in the second half.
DANIELS ON INACTIVE LIST
As expected, injured cornerback Travis Daniels was one of eight Dolphins declared inactive for the season opener.
Daniels, who started 14 games last season as a rookie, missed all four exhibition games with a sprained ankle. He returned to practice this week but was unable to go full speed.
Andre’ Goodman, a free-agent pickup from the Lions, started in his place, and was called for a critical 23-yard pass interference penalty on Cedrick Wilson that led to a Steelers’ touchdown.
The most notable inactive players were backup center Wade Smith and defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina, ending Zgonina’s consecutive-game streak at 74. The addition of nose tackle Dan Wilkinson seemed to make Zgonina expendable.
ROOKIE ALLEN STRUGGLES
Rookie safety Jason Allen, who Saban said earlier this week had not picked up the schemes enough to contribute in the base defense, only played on special teams.
On the Steelers’ second series, Allen, a first-round pick, committed a holding penalty on Chris Gardocki’s punt, causing the Dolphins to start their drive on their own 13 instead of the 23. …
Welker took Booker’s place in the first half but rookie receiver Derek Hagan made his NFL debut when the Dolphins went to a three-receiver set. On second-and-14 from the Dolphins’ 46, Culpepper hit Hagan in stride for a 14-yard gain for his first NFL catch.
SCHOOL REUNION
Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, who grew up in Pittsburgh and attended elementary school with Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, greeted his old friend with a 10-yard sack in the third quarter.
UPS AND DOWNS FOR HOLMES
Steelers rookie receiver Santonio Holmes, who attended Glades Central in Belle Glade, had an adventurous debut.
Holmes made an acrobatic 6-yard catch on third down to key the Steelers’ 75-yard first-half touchdown drive.
Holmes helped tilt the field position in the Dolphins’ favor in the second quarter when he slipped after foolishly fielding a punt on the Steelers’ 6-yard line.
SABAN HOMECOMING
Saban, who grew up about 70 miles away in Monongah, W.Va., expected plenty of ticket requests, and his wife, Terry, confirmed Thursday morning that she had to come up with 78 tickets for friends and relatives from their hometown, including Nick’s mother. …
The Dolphins last victory in Pittsburgh occurred on Sept. 30, 1990, a 28-7 triumph.
Staff Writer Alex Marvez contributed to this report.
Staff Writer Alex Marvez contributed to this report. Harvey Fialkov can be reached at .
