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By Larry Stone January 12, 2003
The Titans got good news on the injury front Sunday as all the players banged up against the Steelers will have a chance to play in the AFC Championship game.
''When you play Pittsburgh, the training room is typically full,'' Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. ''We didn't have as many guys in there as I thought we would today. The injuries we were concerned about last night aren't as serious as we suspected.''
Regarded as perhaps the most serious injury Saturday, cornerback Andre Dyson's shoulder will not require surgery.
''It may have slipped a little bit, but there's nothing structurally wrong that will require surgery,'' Head Coach Jeff Fisher said Sunday. ''It will be rest and we will strengthen it up.''
Dyson missed most of the second half Sunday with soreness. Fisher said Dyson would have the chance to practice this week and play next Sunday.
Doctors also reported no structural damage on quarterback Steve McNair's thumb.
''All the tests, the x-rays we've done on the thumb are negative,'' Fisher said. ''He's sore, but he's better than we all, including himself, thought he was going to be today.''
McNair hit the thumb on a Steelers helmet late in the fourth quarter Sunday. McNair missed two plays as doctors cut away skin from the thumb.
''When I first saw it, I thought the worst,'' Fisher said. ''It was bent. I thought I'm not only going to see skin here but I'm going to see some bone here and I'm going to pass out here.''
''The big issue was the bottom part of the thumb where he had no feeling because of the contact.''
Running back Eddie George suffered a concussion in the first series of the second half. Fisher said George could have returned, but doctors kept him out as a precaution. Fisher said George felt much better Sunday.
''He has no history and so there's really nothing to base it on,'' Fisher said. ''He was foggy when we got out there. It cleared up quite quickly and was ok late. It just didn't make sense to put him in there.''
Guard Zack Piller re-injured his calf Saturday, but Fisher said he was not as sore Sunday and would not be ruled out of the Championship game.
Fisher said an MRI on linebacker Rocky Boiman's knee revealed a slight strain.
''We will have to strengthen him up during the week and he could be ready as well,'' Fisher said.
Defensive end Jevon Kearse left the game Saturday and Fisher said his fractured foot is sore.
''We will probably do an MRI just to make sure there's nothing more going on down there and give him some confidence going into the next week,'' Fisher said. ''I don't blame him for wanting to know everytime considering what he's been through.''
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