Villanueva: I didn’t intend to be alone

Alejandro Villanueva just wanted to get a glimpse of the flag, the symbol he wore on his uniform during three tours in Afghanistan.

The Steelers left tackle, aWest Point graduate, has no interest in becoming a symbol in a fight he wants no part of, no matter how it might have looked Sunday at Soldier Field, when Villanueva found himself standing alone as the national anthem played and his teammates remained in the tunnel. Villanueva insisted a miscommunication was to blame.

“It’s a very embarrassing part onmy end,” Villanueva said. “When everyone sees images of me standing by myself, everybody thinks the team and the Steelers are not behind me, and that is absolutely wrong. It’s quite the opposite.”

Coach Mike Tomlin told his players whatever they decided, they needed to do it as a team. When the group couldn’t agree, they opted to avoid the situation by staying off the field.

Villaneuva reached out to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, asking if he could be at the front of the pack. Roethlisberger told Villanueva to meet in the tunnel four minutes before kickoff. Villanueva said he arrived early and walked out far enough to see the flag. He asked a security guard when the anthem would start and was told “20 seconds.” He turned back toward his teammates in the tunnel when the music began playing.

After the game, Villanueva’s jersey became the top- selling item at nflshop. com.

Injury news

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said there’s a chance quarterback Andrew Luck could return to practice Wednesday, but Luck already has been ruled out for Sunday night against the host Seahawks.

Eagles running back Darren Sproles is out for the year after tearing his ACL and breaking his forearm on the same play.