Aug 22, 2002 By Jim Wexell For The 3 min read

Stewart may miss Saturday’s game LATROBE -Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart missed Wednesday’s afternoon practice because of lingering effects from a concussion suffered Sunday night on a tackle by Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington.

Stewart had practiced Tuesday and again Wednesday morning, but complained of headaches and coach Bill Cowher told Stewart to miss the next-to-last practice of training camp.

“We’ll err on the side of caution. We’ll see how he feels (Thursday),” Cowher said. “I’m not saying he’s definitely out, but I’m leaning that way.”

If Stewart doesn’t start Saturday’s inaugural game at Detroit’s Ford Field, it appears as if Tommy Maddox will be the quarterback. Maddox ran the first-team offense Wednesday and his quick release and knowledge of the offense have made him a valuable commodity.

“Tommy’s been real solid throughout camp, probably the most consistent guy,” Cowher said. “Again, if Kordell does not go, Tommy will probably be the starter. He’s performed very well as has Charlie (Batch). I’m very pleased with both of them.”

Maddox played in only one preseason game, but completed 12 of 16 passes for 147 yards against the New York Jets.

Batch, meanwhile, has the team’s highest passer rating at 133. In two games, he’s completed 15 of 18 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s never been that hot,” said Batch. “A couple games last year, Minnesota and Tennessee, I really had it going. With that, you’re confident in the line and when you set your feet, you’re not going to get hit, your receivers are open and they’re going to make plays. When you do that, it makes everything else look good. But it starts up front. If not, you get happy feet back there.”

Batch is still learning the Steelers’ offense and has been fed new plays on an intermittent basis. The free-agent acquisition is hoping to continue his hot streak in Detroit, his NFL home for the previous four seasons. He’s also looking forward to playing in the brand new $500 million facility.

“No question about it,” he said. “It’s exciting to be a part of that. I thought I’d be on the other side of it, opening up the new stadium, but just to be a part of that one way or the other will be exciting. They’ve been looking forward to opening that for a number of years, but I’m part of the Steelers and we’ve got to go up there and win.”

X’s & O’s: Cowher said that rookie Kendall Simmons will not play this week, but that “he felt a little bit better this afternoon. He’ll be week to week, but he will not play this week, and obviously LaVar Glover will be out.” Glover, the rookie seventh-round pick, has a painful abdominal strain … Cowher also said he will use rookie Antwaan Randle El as the first slot receiver, with Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress the starting wide receivers.

TICKETS AVAILABLE: A limited number of tickets for the final home preseason game Thursday Aug. 29 against the Minnesota Vikings will go on sale Thursday Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Heinz Field Ticket Office, located at Gate B. Tickets are priced at $52 and $46.