The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Steelers coach Bill Cowher didn't hesitate Tuesday to announce Tommy Maddox will start against Houston, mostly so it wouldn't distract his team.

Last week, Cowher waited to pick Kordell Stewart as his quarterback, mostly to distract the Steelers' opponent.

Cowher, determined not to let a quarterback debate divide a team that is 6-1-1 in its last eight games, said Maddox was playing too well before getting hurt Nov.17 to lose his job to an injury.

The decision was difficult, because Cowher will sit down a hot quarterback - something coaches rarely do. Stewart played virtually error-free in the two-plus games Maddox was out, completing 51 of 69 passes for 562 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and running for 135 yards.

But Cowher is convinced Maddox gives the Steelers (7-4-1) the best chance to go deep into the postseason, where they stumbled twice with Stewart. The Steelers are in excellent position to win the AFC North, with a 11/2-game lead over Cleveland and Baltimore and three of their final four games at home.

"The bottom line is, at the time of the injury," Cowher said of Maddox, "he was playing well and did not merit losing that job."

A knee injury that was thought to be minor will sideline tight end Mark Bruener for the rest of the season - his second major injury in slightly more than a year. Bruener had bone and cartilage damage that will take six months to heal. He was diagnosed Sunday with a sprained right knee.

JAGUARS: Tests on quarterback Mark Brunell's throwing hand showed he sprained his middle finger but did not break any bones.

EAGLES: Philadelphia placed Sean Landeta, the NFL's all-time leading punter, on injured reserve with a strained right calf and signed Jason Baker to a two-year contract.

BEARS: Tight end Dustin Lyman will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his left knee.

DOLPHINS: Miami released third-string quarterback Dave Dickenson, one day after Jay Fiedler was cleared to start against the Bears.

Fiedler returned to the lineup last week after being sidelined six weeks with a broken right thumb.

COWBOYS: Offensive lineman Larry Allen, a seven-time Pro Bowler, had surgery o remove bone spurs from his left ankle. With an expected recovery time of three months, Allen should be ready when the Cowboys start offseason workouts in April.

CHARGERS: San Diego claimed kicker James Tuthill, 26, off waivers from the Washington Redskins, one day after cutting kicker Wade Richey.

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