Titans’ Washington may play after all Thursdaysi
The NFL season is only 24 hours away (thank God!), with the Tennessee Titans visiting the Super Bowl champion Steelers in Thursday’s lone game. The Titans are 6-point underdogs, but their chances for the upset would certainly improve if starting WR Nate Washington can play.
Washington, who signed with Tennessee from Pittsburgh in the offseason, was very limited in the preseason with a hamstring injury. Most reports were that he would at least miss Week 1.
Washington and Coach Jeff Fisher are being very secretive about the receiver’s status, but indications are he has looked good in limited practice this week and could return on Thursday night – a game you know he wants to play in vs. his former teammates.
“I’m impressed with what he has done so far,” Fisher said of Washington’s recovery from a strain suffered in practice Aug. 24.
“I don’t know if I am going to play or not, that’s up to coach Fisher,” Washington said. “I’m pretty happy with the progress that I’ve made … Nothing is holding me back right now.”
Washington said the hamstring was sore Tuesday morning “but it wasn’t hurting” and it loosened back up well. But the Titans could simply be giving the Steelers something else to think about.
Both Washington and the Titans have worked aggressively to help the receiver heal his hamstring. Washington credited the trainers with giving him leeway to perform what he called “nice, hard rehab.”
Washington caught 104 passes for 1,705 yards and 12 touchdowns during four seasons in Pittsburgh. He had his best season in 2008 with 40 receptions and 631 yards receiving with three TDs behind Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.
Rookie Kenny Britt has worked with the first team all week in Washington’s place. Behind him are rookie Dominique Edison and second-year pro Lavelle Hawkins. Justin Gage is the other starter; he finished last year on a high note, catching five passes for 104 yards and a TD vs. Pittsburgh and then having 10 catches for 135 yards in the playoffs against Baltimore.
“Pittsburgh may focus more on me and leave the rookies to one-on-one coverage, and I definitely think those guys will step up and make plays for us when we need them. Hopefully we can have a big game,” he said.
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