MRI on McNair shows cracked bone spur

Dec. 9, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- An MRI exam on Steve McNair's left ankle revealed a new problem: a cracked bone spur that is causing most of his pain.

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The Tennessee Titans received the results of the test Tuesday. Team spokesman Robbie Bohren said the exam also showed a sprain but the bone spur apparently is causing most of the problems for the quarterback.

McNair injured his ankle against Indianapolis last Sunday. Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that McNair would not practice this week leading up to the game against the Buffalo Bills and did not know whether the NFL's top-rated passer would play.

McNair has tied his career high with 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions. But the nine-year veteran now has injuries to both legs -- he strained his right calf on Nov. 23 in a victory over Atlanta.

When McNair went in for treatment Monday, Fisher said his quarterback had "significant swelling" and trouble walking on his left foot.

But McNair told trainers that his calf was no worse than before their 29-27 loss to the Colts. Still, Fisher said McNair's mobility will be a factor in whether he plays this weekend.

"Really it's way too early in the week to be able to determine how he's going to be," Fisher said.

Since McNair took over as starter in the 1997 season, he has missed six of 87 games because of injury. That included five games in 1999 after he had surgery for a ruptured disc in his back.

A bruised sternum kept him from starting against Pittsburgh in September 2000. Backup Neil O'Donnell was hurt on the final drive, and McNair came off the bench and completed all three passes in the winning drive.

He was at his best in December 2002 when a combination of a bruised shin, ribs and turf toe kept him from practicing for five straight weeks. He still played and led the Titans to a 5-0 mark and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

McNair has missed practice only one week this season, and he nearly rallied the Titans to victory in a 24-17 loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 1.