NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans defensive end Pratt Lyons injured his neck in a car accident and could possibly miss the entire season.
The single-car accident happened Tuesday night, and the team said there is no paralysis."I'm of the understanding that he'll play again," said coach Jeff Fisher, who learned of the accident Wednesday.
Lyons played as a freshman and sophomore at Utah State University in 1993 and '94. He was a starter for Charlie Weatherbie's Big West-champion/Las Vegas Bowl-champion team in '93 but was indefinitely suspended halfway through his sophomore season by Weatherbie for missing a practice and refusing to do punishment running. Lyons later requested a release and transferred to Troy State.
In '96, he helped Troy State to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals against Montana. Lyons scored Troy State's only touchdown, returning an interception 16 yards for score in the first quarter of a 70-7 loss.
Lyons has been staying with most of the team in a hotel across the road from the practice facility. He took a drive after team meetings, and Fisher said the accident apparently happened shortly before an11:30 p.m. curfew.
Doctors originally thought the injury was limited to cuts and bruises. But more damage was found after the 24-year-old end reported stiffness in his neck. The precise injury was not disclosed.
Fisher said Lyons could be sidelined from a couple of months to the whole season.
Lyons started 12 games in 1998 at left end and reported to training camp 15 pounds lighter to compete with top draft pick Jevon Kearse. Lyons had two sacks and 47 tackles last season, including 13 quarterback pressures.