TERESA M. WALKER
AP Pro Football Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jake Locker practiced Wednesday for the Tennessee Titans, and now the quarterback will see how his right wrist responds to a full session of throwing the ball.
Locker isn’t overly concerned, he expects to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
“That’s the way I’m going about it,” Locker said.
The quarterback says he feels really good and was able to do everything Wednesday, which he calls encouraging. Locker lobbied coach Ken Whisenhunt to play in last week’s 41-17 loss at Indianapolis but watched from the sideline as backup Charlie Whitehurst played. Locker says it’s always tough staying on the sideline.
Whisenhunt still wants to see how Locker feels Thursday after a full practice. The Titans want to make sure all the soreness is out of Locker’s wrist, which he injured in a 33-7 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 21, because the quarterback easily could put his hand down to the ground bracing himself risking further injury.
“He did a lot today, and if it responds the way we think it’s going to, then everything’s good,” Whisenhunt said.
Having Locker back is one thing. The quarterback playing better is another. Locker has struggled in his last two starts and had four interceptions in those games. The Titans also didn’t score a single point in the first half of either of those losses, a trend they finally ended with 10 points in Indianapolis with Whitehurst last week.
Asked what he needs Locker to do better, Whisenhunt said everybody has to play better.
“It’s hard to single out any one person, because there are a lot of things,” Whisenhunt said. “First of all, we’ve got to quit turning the ball over, we’ve got to make plays on the ball defensively, special teams we’ve got to do a better job. I could go on. There are a lot things that we need to improve.”
Locker started off the season strong throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Kansas City, a victory that looks more impressive with the Chiefs routing New England on Monday night. Locker said he has looked at what he didn’t do well through the first month of the season, and he thinks being more precise on details in each play can make a big difference.
“When you’re not winning and things aren’t going the way you’d like them to go, I’ve always believed the first place you have to look is yourself,” Locker said. “And it’s no different in this situation.”
The Titans (1-3) host the Browns (1-2) on Sunday having lost three straight. They’ve also been outscored 100-34 in this skid, and Whisenhunt has said he will simplify the offense a bit to help the Titans. Locker said that can help players not be as mindful and play faster.
“It’s something I think is an effort on coach’s part for us to really hone in and focus on the smaller details within each play and execute them really crisply all 11 guys,” Locker said.
Notes: CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (concussion) did not practice, and Whisenhunt said there’s a possibility Coty Sensabaugh replaces him if the cornerback is not cleared in time before Sunday. … TE Taylor Thompson (knee) did not practice. TE Delanie Walker (shoulder) was limited. DT Jurrell Casey (foot) and DE Ropati Pitoitua (knee) practiced fully.
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