The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Kordell Stewart played the role of Michael Vick as the Pittsburgh Steelers began preparing for the Atlanta Falcons. He would rather play the role of Kordell Stewart.

Relegated to being scout-team quarterback a season after leading the team to a 13-3 record and making the Pro Bowl, Stewart is hurt and frustrated by his latest benching.

Speaking out for the first time since coach Bill Cowher replaced him with Tommy Maddox six weeks ago, Stewart said Wednesday he will be an NFL starter again.

But he wouldn't criticize Cowher's abrupt decision, saying doing so would only detract from how well Maddox and the division-leading Steelers are playing.

"I've proven myself time and time again, so to express myself and explain myself again, what would that benefit?" Stewart said. "If this is the direction they want to go, fine, so be it, but everybody else knows, and this organization knows, what I can do."

Stewart hasn't written off this season or his seven-year Steelers career but realizes they won't keep him and his $6.3 million salary after this season to be a backup.

So, even if they cut him or trade him, he said: "It's no sweat off my back. I'll be ready to move on."

Stewart was benched in 1999 and 2000, but this demotion was the least expected because it came so early, and after so successful a season.

Maddox replaced Stewart in the fourth quarter Sept.29 against Cleveland and rallied the Steelers to a 16-13 overtime victory, preventing an 0-3 start. With Maddox throwing at least two touchdown passes in all but one game since, the Steelers (5-3) have won five of six to open a comfortable lead in the AFC North.

With Maddox playing so well, Stewart knows he would be out of line to lobby to play again. That's why being benched for Mike Tomczak in 1999 and, briefly, for Kent Graham in 2000 prepared him to handle his latest career setback.

"The first time, it hurts. You say, `Dang, what happened?'" he said. "The second time, you're kind of mad, like, `Why is this happening again?' The third time, you become immune to it."

Stewart said he has paid little attention to the favorable fan reaction to Maddox's promotion.

"If people want to be supportive, that's cool." he said. " ... I have to worry about me and take care of me."

That's why, he joked, he'll be mad at Vick if he's injured while replicating the Atlanta quarterback's speed and cutbacks during practice.

"It's not easy sitting there watching," he said. "But being that's the case and the direction we're going, I can't do anything but sit back and help the best way I can. ... It's not the Kordell Stewart show, it's about this team."

Running back Jerome Bettis returned to practice but didn't do much running on his strained left knee. He has missed two games and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

CHIEFS: Linebacker Lew Bush was suspended for four games after a violation of the NFL's "anabolic steroid and substance policy." The team said the action was taken after a routine test by the league.

PANTHERS: Quarterback Rodney Peete, back this week after surgery on his right knee, slogged through practice Wednesday with a mild case of the flu. but is back and expected to start Sunday against New Orleans.

TITANS: Quarterback Steve McNair rested his sore right toes in a walking boot, and defensive end Jevon Kearse ran on his own and tried to become comfortable with braces to protect his left foot, which he broke in the team's season opener.

Coach Jeff Fisher said he hopes the swelling in McNair's foot will ease enough to allow the quarterback to wear a shoe and practice today.

COLTS: Running backs Edgerrin James and Ricky Williams will miss their second straight games after being ruled out of Sunday's contest at Philadelphia.

James had been playing on a surgically repaired left knee before partially tearing his right hamstring, and coach Tony Dungy said James also has rib cartilage damage. Williams injured his hamstring Friday.

Dungy said James Mungro and Autry Denson will replace James and Williams.

RAMS: Quarterback Kurt Warner will resume throwing today, and he's confident he'll miss only one more game because of a broken pinkie finger.

And Warner, who won his second MVP award last season, agrees with coach Mike Martz that he deserves his job back whenever he's healthy - even though backup Marc Bulger led the team to its only three victories this season. Warner was 0-4 before being injured.

"Marc's played tremendous, no question about it," Warner said. "But I feel I've earned the right to call this my team and when I'm healthy I'm going to be back in there."

Warner could be back for the Nov.18 Monday night game against Chicago, after Bulger starts at home against the Chargers.

VIKINGS: Wide receiver Derrick Alexander is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee. He has 14 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown after signing a three-year, $5.1 million contract in the offseason.

PACKERS: Defensive end Vonnie Holliday will have arthroscopic knee surgery today to repair torn cartilage and will be out two to five weeks.

JAGUARS: Zach Wiegert was placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee.

The team signed Roger Chanoine, who spent the last 31/2 seasons with Cleveland.

EAGLES: Veteran safety Tim Hauck, who spent the last three seasons with Philadelphia, signed a one-year contract and safety Julian Jones was released.

Hauck has 355 career tackles, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and an interception in 13 seasons.

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