A steering column assembly comprising: a. a column tube; b. a plate stop attached to the column tube; c. a steering shaft supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube and having a longitudinal axis; d. a telescoping motor subassembly adapted for selectively driving the steering shaft, the column tube, or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; and e. an energy absorption strip comprising a generally elongated body portion, a first end, and a curved portion joining the first end and the generally elongated body portion that forms an angle between the first end and the generally elongated body portion; wherein the elongated body portion of the energy absorption strip is located within the column tube, and the first end of the energy absorption strip is secured to the plate stop; wherein the energy absorption strip is adapted to absorb energy by plastic deformation during the translation of the column tube during an impact exceeding a threshold load; wherein during the impact, the plate stop shears off the column tube and the first end of the energy absorption strip remains secured to the plate stop, causing the elongated body portion to deform; and wherein the telescoping motor subassembly remains generally fixed during the impact; and wherein the energy absorption strip is in a generally unwrapped state prior to deformation. a. a column tube; b. a plate stop attached to the column tube; c. a steering shaft supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube and having a longitudinal axis; d. a telescoping motor subassembly adapted for selectively driving the steering shaft, the column tube, or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; and e. an energy absorption strip comprising a generally elongated body portion, a first end, and a curved portion joining the first end and the generally elongated body portion that forms an angle between the first end and the generally elongated body portion; wherein the elongated body portion of the energy absorption strip is located within the column tube, and the first end of the energy absorption strip is secured to the plate stop; wherein the energy absorption strip is adapted to absorb energy by plastic deformation during the translation of the column tube during an impact exceeding a threshold load; wherein during the impact, the plate stop shears off the column tube and the first end of the energy absorption strip remains secured to the plate stop, causing the elongated body portion to deform; and wherein the telescoping motor subassembly remains generally fixed during the impact; and wherein the energy absorption strip is in a generally unwrapped state prior to deformation. wherein the energy absorption strip is adapted to absorb energy by plastic deformation during the translation of the column tube during an impact exceeding a threshold load; wherein during the impact, the plate stop shears off the column tube and the first end of the energy absorption strip remains secured to the plate stop, causing the elongated body portion to deform; and wherein the telescoping motor subassembly remains generally fixed during the impact; and wherein the energy absorption strip is in a generally unwrapped state prior to deformation.