Elbow damage KOs Maddox for two months

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Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 | 10:04 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Quarterback Tommy Maddox will be out at least six weeks with a torn ligament and tendon damage in his right elbow, an injury that at least temporarily makes rookie Ben Roethlisberger the starter in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers thought Maddox might need season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery, but team doctors said Monday an operation wasn't necessary. Maddox plans to seek a second opinion from elbow injury specialist Dr. James Andrews, an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Ala. Unless Andrews' diagnosis differs from those of the team doctors, Maddox will not throw or practice for six weeks.

With Maddox expected to miss at least five games and possibly more, the Steelers will bring in a veteran quarterback to back up Roethlisberger and Brian St. Pierre.