NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans coach Mike Munchak said Friday that linebacker Colin McCarthy and receiver Kenny Britt, who are both dealing with ankle injuries, will be questionable for Sunday's game at Minnesota.
McCarthy practiced almost fully Wednesday, his first time on the field since the Titans hosted the Patriots in the season opener. Tennessee opted to rest the second-year pro Thursday and had him do some work Friday.
"We didn't want him doing too much," Munchak said. "We thought the beginning…Have him go on Wednesday, see what he can do. He practiced pretty much the whole practice, and we thought we'd rest him the (Thursday), and then use him a little bit today to do some red zone stuff and some work today. Again, not overdo it so he's OK for Sunday. We'll see how he does on Sunday."
Munchak said coaches and trainers will evaluate the players during warm-ups before the Titans (1-3) face the Vikings (3-1).
Britt has been limited or missed practices the past two weeks after suffering his ankle injury when the Tennessee defeated Detroit.
"We were hoping, obviously, he could do more," Munchak said. "He was still a little sore, so we didn't want to do it today. We'll see how he is tomorrow and Sunday for the things he'll do."
The Titans will have two games in a span of 10 days, which will limit recovery time. Munchak said if McCarthy can play, his amount of snaps may be determined by "what kind of game it is."
"We're going there to win, so we need him on the field if he can help us win, we're doing that," Munchak said. "We'll have to see how he is on Sunday once he gets going. If we feel we have to limit him, we'll decide what package."
SPECIAL SPECIALISTS: In addition to featuring running backs Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson, Sunday's contest will also boast the AFC and NFC Special Teams Players of the Month of September. Titans running back and return man Darius Reynaud and Vikings receiver and returner Percy Harvin each scored on 105-yard kickoff returns against Detroit in September.
Reynaud also had a large part in another special teams touchdown when he fielded a punt by the Lions and lateralled the ball across the field to Tommie Campbell, who sprinted 65 yards untouched.
Titans punter Brett Kern leads the NFL in net punting average (45.0 yards). He has placed seven punts inside opponents' 20-yard lines and a long of 63 yards this season.
HOMECOMING: The Titans' rare trip to Minnesota will serve as a homecoming experience for second-year defensive lineman Karl Klug.
Klug is from Caledonia, Minn., about three hours southeast of the Twin Cities and Mall of America Field. Klug played in the Vikings' stadium when he was in high school and when he attended college at Iowa.
"I'm pretty pumped just cause in high school I was able to play a couple of games there, and played a couple of games in college there," Klug said. "The last time I played there it was against the Gophers, and I heard from the stands, a couple of people calling my name. I knew they were from Caledonia, and I think that's kind of cool."
Caledonia is a small town near the Mississippi River, and Klug has heard that at least three buses of people are going to the game.
"That's unbelievable. Half the town will fit on the buses," Klug joked.
RAGNAR A 'GOOD GUY': The Vikings, according to www.ragnartheviking.com, have the distinction of having the only human mascot in professional sports. Joseph Juranitch plays the part of Ragnar the Viking.
Titans offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson spent the past six seasons in Minnesota and was explaining the different stadium rituals at Minnesota home games to reporters this week. He said they include a loud horn and the bearded Ragnar riding motorcycles, but Ragnar is not the person in charge of the horn.
"Ragnar is the Viking," Hutchinson said. "He's the mascot guy. He's a good guy."
