Titan Rise Continues as Maddox Is Hurt

The Pittsburgh Steelers went home looking for answers, relieved that quarterback Tommy Maddox could move his arms and legs Sunday after being taken off the field in an ambulance.

In a 31-23 loss to Tennessee, Maddox was tripped up by safety Lance Schulters and tossed the ball to Antwaan Randle El as he fell forward. Linebacker Keith Bulluck hit Maddox’s shoulder with his forearm, and Maddox rolled onto his head and did not move.

Maddox had no sensations, but was conscious and talking as he was strapped to a backboard. Trainers and doctors worked on him for at least 15 minutes, then Maddox was lifted onto a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance on the field and taken to Baptist Hospital’s trauma unit.

Steeler spokesman Ron Wahl said they would not discuss the nature of Maddox’s injury until Monday. Wahl said Maddox was awake and alert, had talked with his family and was able to move all of his extremities.

Maddox’s injury overshadowed the best performance by the Titans in nearly two seasons. Steve McNair threw two touchdown passes to Kevin Dyson and Eddie George ran for two more as the Titans earned their fifth victory in a row.

“I told our club five weeks ago when we were 1-4 we’re going to be 6-4 if we keep playing and believing in ourselves, and here we are,” Titan Coach Jeff Fisher said.

Tennessee ended a five-game unbeaten streak for the Steelers (5-4-1) by making them look like the team that started the season 1-3.

“Nobody thought we could hang on with big, old, bad Pittsburgh, but we expected to win and this is gratifying,” Titan cornerback Samari Rolle said.

Maddox came in as the AFC’s second-rated passer fresh off a 473-yard passing performance. He was heading up a Pittsburgh offense averaging 374.3 yards a game.

But the Steelers, who had scored at least 17 points by halftime during their streak, never got going. Maddox was intercepted a season-high three times before he was hurt on the final play of the third quarter.

The Titans, tied for first place in the AFC South with Indianapolis, had the game well in control before Maddox was hurt.

They led, 14-7, at halftime and put the game away in the third quarter, when they held the ball for more than 11 minutes and rolled up 159 of their 378 yards. The defense held Pittsburgh to eight yards and without a first down.

Kordell Stewart, pulled for Maddox on Sept. 29 in a victory over Cleveland, replaced Maddox on Sunday, but the Titans had padded their lead to 31-7 with a 34-yard field goal by Joe Nedney.

Stewart did throw for two touchdowns and two two-point conversions and pulled the Steelers within 31-23 with 1:26 left. Pittsburgh’s chance at the improbable rally fell short when a gimmick on the onside kick didn’t fool the Titans. Drew Bennett recovered and the Titans ran out the clock.