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Six Hot Topics From Titans Coach Mike Mularkey

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans coach Mike Mularkey just wrapped up a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, two days after the team's 27-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

This Sunday, the Titans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium.

Here's a look at six hot topics:

**

Back-up plan at RB**

Running back Derrick Henry is in line to carry the load if DeMarco Murray can't go, and running back David Fluellen would also see work in the backfield.

Titans coach Mike Mularkey called Murray "day to day" with the knee injury he suffered on Sunday against the Rams.

On the season, Henry has 693 yards and five touchdowns on 148 carries. He's caught 10 passes for 70 yards on the season. Fluellen, who has played primarily on special teams this season, has 21 yards on four carries in 2017.

"That's the plan obviously," Mularkey said. "And if DeMarco is not able to play, then Fluellen would have a bigger role, no question."

**

Logan Ryan update**

Titans veteran cornerback Logan Ryan did not play against the Rams because of an ankle injury, but he could return this week against the Jaguars.

Mularkey said of Ryan: "Hopefully we'll get him rolling by the end of the week," Mularkey said. "He's improved a bunch.'

Cornerbacks Adoree' Jackson and Brice McCain started on Sunday against the Rams. Ryan started the first 14 contests for the Titans.

"I can't say he is going to practice on Wednesday," Mularkey said of Ryan. "But I am hoping by the end of the week he is practicing."

Jaguars expectations

The Jaguars have already wrapped up the AFC South, and their playoff seeding – they're the No.3 seed.

While some have speculated about how they might approach Sunday's game from a personnel standpoint, Mularkey said he knows what he's expecting.

"I would expect a full game plan, just like a game they have to win," Mularkey said of the Jaguars. "Coming off a loss (to the 49ers), I am sure they don't want to go into the playoffs with another one, so I would expect we're going to get the best of them, knowing Doug Marrone and Tom (Coughlin).

"I wouldn't think anything less than that." 

Playoff atmosphere

The Titans have won 9 of their last 11 games at Nissan Stadium, and the crowd noise has impacted games this season.

On Sunday, Mularkey said he's expecting a playoff atmosphere when the Jaguars visit.

The Titans are in a win-and-in scenario as it relates to the playoffs. Mularkey said "part of winning in this league is your support at home by your fans.

"The fans are as big a part of what goes on in that stadium, supporting us with the noise and they have seen the results," Mularkey said. "When we get that crowd going, it is a great ally for our football team.

"Our team feeds off of our crowd, there's no question about it. That's why we've had the home success that we've had over the last year-and-a-half. A lot of it is because of our fan support. … We need (the support) more than ever this week. I think it will be a great environment.

"We could sure use (the fans) to help us beat these guys to get in."

**

Corey Davis/WR talk**

Titans receiver Corey Davis had the most productive game of his rookie season on Sunday.

The team's fifth overall pick had six catches for 91 yards.

Veteran Eric Decker also had a solid day, catching six passes (on a team-high 10 targets) for 73 catches.

"I think the receivers have had a couple of really good games," Mularkey said. "Corey, what I liked was some of the things he did after the catch. You could see how strong of a runner he can be, and he did some good things. He is learning on the run and continuing to improve every week.

"And (Decker), when his number has been called and progression is called for it to go to him, he is getting open as well."

**

Murray update/Other injuries?**

I hit on Murray earlier in this space, and in a separate post on Titans Online.

But his injury is too big of a deal to not touch on again here, since it was a hot topic during the conference call.

Mularkey called Murray "day to day" with the knee injury. He also called Murray a tough guy while saying he won't rule him out for Sunday's game.

Murray suffered a knee injury in the closing minutes of the team's loss against the Rams and was helped off the field by trainers.

An MRI was performed, and Mularkey said the result was about what the team expected.

"He hurt his knee, but I am not going to rule him out just yet, knowing DeMarco, based on some of the other things he's had happen to him and how quickly he responds to treatment," Mularkey said. "So I'd say he is day-to-day right now, and just hope for the best. Maybe in a limited role. We don't know yet."

Mularkey said there were no other injuries for the Titans out of the Rams game.

The Tennessee Titans take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16 at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)

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