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Young limping on bad knee, ankle; Collins preps for Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Vince Young is walking with a limp, and Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher says the decision on whether or not his quarterback will play this weekend depends on his ability to run around in the pocket.

The Titans went through an hour-long walkthrough Wednesday -- with Young watching -- and Fisher said the fifth-year veteran wouldn't have worked had the team practiced. Young's chances Thursday? The Titans are in wait-and-see mode.

"I'm not going to get into whether he needs to practice or not," Fisher said. "He's paying attention, he's in the meetings, it will be day to day with it. He's come a long way.

"There is always a potential for him to play without practicing, and, of course, there is always the potential he may not play this week. We just don't know."

Young was hurt on the second series of Monday night's 30-3 victory at Jacksonville. He fumbled a snap, recovered the ball and his left leg twisted underneath him. The quarterback, who didn't speak with reporters Wednesday, initially believed he was hurt badly enough that his season was over.

Tests have shown a mild knee sprain, and he also has a sprained ankle.

Young isn't the only Titans quarterback on the injury report.

Kerry Collins, who finished up in Jacksonville, also didn't practice. He banged the middle finger of his right (throwing) hand on a helmet or opponent's hand in the third quarter. The 16th-year veteran said he'll be ready to start if Young cannot, noting that he jammed a finger in an opener while with the Oakland Raiders and played with it the entire season.

Collins' biggest challenge is preparing as if he will start Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles while not knowing if he will.

If Young receives the nod, the former University of Texas All-American will make his seventh start this season and 17th in a row, dating to last season, when he replaced Collins after the Titans' 0-6 start.

"I've been through it now several times, and so it's not tough really for me," Collins said. "If I get reps and don't play, it's actually better, because I actually get some reps during the week as before I wasn't getting any. We've been in the situation before where Vince has been day to day and just kind of wait and see how the week shows out."

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Young officially received the win Monday night as the starter, and he combined with Collins to throw for 171 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and a 123.3 passer rating.

If Collins starts Sunday against Philadelphia (4-2), it would be his first start since Oct. 18, 2009, when the Titans lost, 59-0, in the snow at New England. Collins also replaced Young in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after the starter's third turnover.

Just knowing he might start and play is exciting.

"But I also temper that with there's a lot of work to do between now and then, and have to wait and see how things go with Vince up until that point," Collins said. "I'll just take advantage of the opportunity to get some reps this week. If my number gets called on Sunday, I'll be ready to roll."

Nate Washington said he had no idea on Young's health, but the receivers aren't worrying about who will start at quarterback.

"Either way, a job has to get done. We're confident in all three of our quarterbacks," Washington said. "Whoever has to be in there, we're not too much worried about it."

Notes: The Titans issued a practice report although they didn't have a full session. DT Tony Brown (right knee) and DT Jason Jones (shoulder) and TE Bo Scaife (groin) didn't practice. WR Justin Gage (left hamstring) fully practiced. RB Chris Johnson (thigh) was limited.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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