LATROBE, Pa. — Tommy Maddox heard all the jokes that went with being the MVP of the defunct XFL. Now, he might get the last laugh.
Less than four months after leading the Los Angeles Xtreme to the XFL championship, Maddox made a successful return to the NFL — albeit in a preseason game.
The 29-year-old journeyman quarterback completed six of 10 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown Friday, helping the Pittsburgh Steelers rally past Michael Vick, the No. 1 pick in NFL draft, and the Atlanta Falcons 17-16.
After starting quarterback Kordell Stewart and Kent Graham led the Steelers to a combined total of 50 yards and zero points, Maddox made an immediate impact when he entered the game in the third quarter. He led the Steelers to a touchdown and a field goal in his only series.
"I know how it goes," said Maddox, who signed with the Steelers on June 12. "It's 'What have you done for me lately?' So I'm just going to continue to try to get better and better and play well.
PATRIOTS: New England Patriots wide receiver Terry Glenn, suspended for the team's first four regular-season games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, did not attend practice Sunday.
"He was not at practice, and he was supposed to be. It was an unexcused absence," team spokesman Stacey James said.
TITANS: The Tennessee Titans' big plans for ex-Ute rookie cornerback Andre Dyson will have to wait.
Dyson, the Titans' first pick in the April draft, selected 60th overall, broke a big toe in a scrimmage against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Dyson already figured into the Titans' nickel-and-dime defenses featuring extra cornerbacks and was in the running to become the new starter at left cornerback opposite All-Pro Samari Rolle.
RAVENS: The Baltimore Ravens will have to wait to see if Leon Searcy was worth the investment.
Searcy, who signed a $31.5 million, six-year contract with Baltimore in the offseason, will miss up to three months with a torn tendon in his left arm.
BUCCANEERS: Quarterback Brad Johnson should be more comfortable with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the end of the week.
Johnson, who signed a $28 million, five-year contract during the offseason, is scheduled to start full-scale workouts. He missed or took part in limited drills during the first week of training camp because of a cut on his left leg.
REDSKINS: The Washington Redskins allowed Jeff George to show off his strong arm.
George took part in all the regular throwing drills Sunday and ran some pass plays for the first time in six days. He was limited to mostly handoffs and watching after tendinitis flared up in his throwing arm on Tuesday.