Roster

Titans rookie DL Jurrell Casey picked up the first sack of his career Week 5 at Pittsburgh. He finished with four tackles, including three solo.

Tennessee added LB Kevin Malast to the active roster on Tuesday to take the place of LB Barrett Ruud, who was placed on injured reserve. Malast was on Jacksonville’s practice squad prior to the signing.

Titans DL Dave Ball had a productive afternoon in a Week 12 win over the Buccaneers. He provided the only two sacks of QB Josh Freeman, and he also made four tackles and forced and recovered a fumble.

Titans wide receiver Damian Williams, who has been just a peripheral option in the passing game all season, actually led the team with three receptions (on five targets) Week 16 at Green Bay. Of course, he had only 39 yards. He has yet to put up 50 yards in a game this season.

The Titans have waived fullback Darren Evans.

The Cardinals waived or released the following players Friday: cornerback Crezdon Butler, linebacker Antonio Coleman, safety Blake Gideon, linebacker Clark Haggans, defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin, linebacker Colin Parker, cornerback Larry Parker, wide receiver DeMarco Sampson, tight end Steve Skelton, running back Alfonso Smith, linebacker Quan Sturdivant, defensive end Ronald Talley, defensive end Everette Thompson, tight end Martell Webb and wide receiver Isaiah Williams.

The Titans official website reports that quarterback Jake Locker said his left shoulder “feels like its back to normal” and he will “definitely” be cleared for contact at training camp in late July. Locker’s injury last season and backup status in 2011 has translated into only 16 games played with 11 starts over his first two NFL seasons — not a large body of work for evaluation. Despite the injuries and playing behind a depleted offensive line a year ago, Locker has thrown for 2,718 yards and 14 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions. He improved his completion percentage from 51.5 in 2011 to 56.4 in 2012 and ran for 291 yards and a TD last season. Locker admits he “can improve in a lot of areas” as he looks to become more consistent and find ways to keep the offense on the field in 2013. “I go out and I’m always trying to get the best out of myself no matter what the situation,” he said. “It won’t be any different for me, I won’t approach it any different. I’m just excited about this season.”

Shoulder - Probable for start of training camp

Four of the Titans' last five picks in the NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball. The team took Mizzou linebacker Zaviar Gooden, LSU defensive end Lavar Edwards, Nevada cornerback Kahlid Wooten and Nebraska safety Daimion Stafford.

Titans defensive lineman Kamerion Wimbley is active despite a toe issue on Monday night of Week 15. Wimbley will take on the Jets, as expected, as he was listed as probable for the game.

Notable Titans players cut on Friday include: WR Devin Aguilar, TE Brandon Barden, DT Zach Clayton, NT Lamar Divens, DB Aaron Francisco, TE Cameron Graham, CB Chris Hawkins, WR James Kirkendoll, FB Collin Mooney, WR Michael Preston, DT Malcolm Sheppard, DB Tracy Wilson and WR D.J. Woods.

The Titans on Tuesday waived safety Jordan Babineaux. "I have been with Babs for several years in both Seattle and Tennessee, and I have always respected how he played the game,” Titans general manager Ruston Webster said.

The Jaguars waived eight players to reduce their roster to 82 players, according to the Sports Xchange. Among the cuts was seventh-year cornerback Ashton Youboty, who was signed midseason in 2011 and started five games for Jacksonville's injury-ravaged secondary. Also waived were second-year players in wide receiver Chastin West and quarterback Nathan Enderle, three first-year players in linebacker Nate Bussey, running back DuJuan Harris and cornerback Mike Holmes and two rookies in offensive tackle Dan Hoch and linebacker Donovan Richard.

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports the Titans and kicker Rob Bironas have agreed to a two-year deal. The Tennessean reported previously there was a mutual interest between the player and team.

The Titans promoted running back Collin Mooney to the active roster Friday to take the spot of linebacker Colin McCarthy, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a concussion. Mooney was waived by Tennessee earlier this month and returned to the team's practice squad.

Teammates came away impressed with Titans receiver Kenny Britt on the first day of their April minicamp. So far this offseason Britt hasn't had any run-ins with the law or any surgeries, a welcome change from his past offseasons. "He came back and looked great during workouts," quarterback Jake Locker said per The Tennessean. "It sounds like he really got on his rehab and got his knee feeling a lot better and I'm really excited about how he came back."

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

The Bears waived defensive lineman Thaddeus Gibson Sunday.

The Dolphins continued trimming their roster in preparation for the regular season and released the following players: wide receivers Roberto Wallace, Clyde Gates and B.J. Cunningham; linebackers Gary Guyton and Jamaal Westerman; and defensive lineman Ryan Baker.

The Titans placed safety Robert Johnson on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday with a foot injury the team announced. Johnson had 19 tackles and one interception in 12 games this season.

Titans rookie tight end Taylor Thompson didn't play his position in college -- he was a defensive end -- but you wouldn't know it based on the team's recent minicamp. According to the official team website, Thompson ran smooth routes and caught everything thrown at him. That might have been because Thompson says the Titans run an offense similar to what the offense ran at SMU when he was there. "I felt very comfortable on offense. "I've learned a lot the past few days and I'm just having a great time," Thompson said. "I'm pretty familiar with what they're running here. It's similar to what Coach (June) Jones ran at SMU.”

The Packers continued trimming their roster Friday in preparation for the regular season and released the following players: running backs Marc Tyler and Nicholas Cooper; defensive backs Anthony Levine and Otis Merrill; wide receivers Dale Moss, Diondre Borel, Tori Gurley and Curenski Gilleylen; defensive lineman Daniel Muir; and tight end Brandon Bostick.

The Titans announced Tuesday safety Markelle Martin (knee) will remain on the PUP list and won't return in 2012.

Antonio Johnson has signed a one-year deal with the Titans, according to The Tennessean. He has 1.5 sacks over a five-year career.

Titans defensive back Al Afalava recorded an interception of Andrew Luck in the Week 14 loss at Indianapolis Sunday. Afalava did not make a single tackle during the game.

After it was reported in March that the Titans could try and deal Nate Washington, general manager Ruston Webster said Tuesday he expects the receiver to stay with the team for 2013.

The Titans official website reports that receiver Kendall Wright has never felt better physically. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been,” Wright said. The second-year receiver is tipping the scales around 187 pounds, approximately 14 pounds lighter than when he arrived last year. Wright attributed part of the transformation to workouts at Baylor after his rookie campaign ended. A bigger difference maker, however, may have been his routes through grocery stores that passed by junk food. “For the most part, it wasn’t about the running,” Wright said. “I just started taking care of my body and eating right. I wasn’t eating right at all. I was eating a lot of junk food because that’s what I like and that’s what I’d buy, but I cut down on that and just started eating right. When you don’t buy it, you’re not going to eat it, so I just stopped buying it.”

After playing for four different teams in his first five NFL seasons, Titans linebacker Tim Shaw is going to be sticking around in the same place for a little while. Shaw signed a three-year contract to remain with Tennessee, his home for the past two seasons, according to The Sports Xchange. Originally a fifth-round pick of the Panthers (164th overall) in the 2007 draft, Shaw played 14 games for Carolina in 2007, three games for Jacksonville in 2008 and 15 games for the Bears in 2009 before landing in Tennessee.

Anthony Smith, a once promising Steelers safety, is retiring after playing for five teams in the past four seasons, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Saturday. Smith was a third-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2006. In his first two seasons, he combined for 97 tackles and four interceptions. The Sports Xchange reports his career went on a downslide after he unsuccessfully guaranteed a win over the New England Patriots in December 2007. The Steelers lost the game 34-13.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to one-year contracts with receiver Kevin Walter and offensive lineman Chris Spencer. The Titans announced the deals Monday. General manager Ruston Webster says both players are established veterans with plenty of starting experience who can help add to competition with the Titans.

The Tennessee Titans continued to retool their secondary by drafting Connecticut cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson in the third round. Wreh-Wilson, a former basketball and soccer player, didn't take up football until his senior year in high school. He went on to become a team captain and all-Big East performer at Connecticut. In four years with the Huskies he finished with 180 total tackles, eight interceptions and 35 passes defensed.

Four of the Titans' last five picks in the NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball. The team took Mizzou linebacker Zaviar Gooden, LSU defensive end Lavar Edwards, Nevada cornerback Kahlid Wooten and Nebraska safety Daimion Stafford.

The Titans' Craig Stevens, who has been getting more snaps at tight end with Jared Cook sidelined for the rest of the year with a torn rotator cuff, had just one catch for 7 yards Week 16 at Green Bay. He was targeted twice on the day.

Tennessee defensive back Tommie Campbell left Week 6 against the Steelers with an ankle injury Campbell sustained the injury in the first half of the 26-23 win but did not return to the game. He did not record a tackle.

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

Bernard Pollard has signed with the Titans, ESPN reported. He's there on a one-year deal and is expected to battle for playing time with George Wilson at strong safety and also work in nickel packages with Wilson and free safety Michael Griffin.

Titans rookie receiver Justin Hunter told the Tennessean he's aiming to add seven pounds by the end of May in an effort to be sturdier. He's also aiming to be a more consistent receiving threat. The paper noted he looked smooth and showed off nice hands during the team's rookie minicamp, especially catching some poorly thrown passes after an early drop.

The Lions have placed defensive lineman Sammie Lee Hill on injured reserve Saturday due to his toe injury. Hill is out for the season. He was already ruled out for the regular-season finale against Chicago.

Third-year linebacker Greg Jones and second-year running back Richard Murphy were waived by the Jaguars on Monday.

The Titans have signed ex-Chiefs defensive lineman Ropati Pitoitua.

Remember LenDale White, the former Titans running back who used to bully defenders between the tackles? That's the guy the team wants to model Shonn Greene after according to the National Football Post. Not a surprise considering Greene, per the Post was perfect at converting third-and-1s last season while Chris Johnson converted in such situations only two-thirds of the time.

Titans defensive back Jason McCourty tied for the team lead with nine tackles, including seven solo, Week 16 at Green Bay. It was the third time this year he's had nine tackles in a game.

Titans linebacker Colin McCarthy had a procedure this offseason on the right ankle he injured in Week 1 last year. He posted on Twitter he's already running again. McCarthy missed four games with the injury, then suffered a concussion to end his season five weeks early.

Ankle - Questionable for start of training camp

Tennessee linebacker Will Witherspoon intercepted an Andrew Luck pass during the Week 14 loss at Indianapolis. Witherspoon picked Luck off in the second quarter and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Witherspoon added five tackles on the game and three of them were solo stops. He also had two passes defended.

The Tennessean reports that Titans running back Javon Ringer is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery to repair an injury he suffered during the 2012 season. Ringer is expected to be fully healthy within a month, however. Ringer suffered a sprained MCL during the team’s October 7 game against the Vikings, and the initial plan didn’t call for surgery. He rehabbed the injury during the season, but was eventually placed on Injured Reserve after playing in just two games. Ringer, a fifth round pick by the team in 2009, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. Titans general manager Ruston Webster said the team would like to find a back to complement Chris Johnson more in 2013. Asked if the door is closed on Ringer’s return, he said: “Not necessarily. But just like anybody else who has been injured, you have to take precaution there and you can’t rely on guys who have missed time.”

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

The Titans have signed veteran defensive end Leger Douzable to bolster a position that may lose three players to free agency. He played the last two years with the Jaguars, seeing action in 31 games and making 88 tackles, one sack and nine tackles for loss.

The Titans have re-signed defensive end Keyunta Dawson.

Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains believes new tight end Delanie Walker can make significant contributions in the passing game. Walker is known more for his run-blocking skills than his hands. "I don't know how other people see him. We view him as a No. 1 tight end that will come in here and catch balls and help us win games," Loggains told The Tennessean. The paper cited ProFootballFocus.com that notes Walker dropped nine of 30 passes last year, something Loggains believes Walker can get past. "It's not his hands as much as it is the concentration," Loggains said. "He's got great speed and he's been trying to run before he catches the ball. So it’s just about looking the ball in, and I think that (tight ends coach) George Henshaw has done a great job with him on concentrating on that aspect of the game."

The Tennessean reports that the Titans released running back Jamie Harper and signed former Jacksonville running back Jalen Parmele. Tennessee had hoped the 5-11, 233-pound Harper would be a good change of pace back to complement Chris Johnson, but he leaves with 36 carries for 74 yards and four touchdowns over two seasons. Harper was bothered by an ankle injury at times last year and he wound up playing in 10 of the team’s 16 games. The 5-11, 225-pound Parmele has played in 35 career NFL games over five seasons. He started two games last year for Jacksonville. One of his starts came Nov. 25 against the Titans, when Parmele carried eight times for 45 yards. Parmele went on injured reserve for the remainder of the year after suffering a groin injury in that game.

Titans defensive lineman Karl Klug had a big game on Sunday of Week 14 at Indianapolis. Klug recorded two sacks of quarterback Andrew Luck in the game. He finished with just the two tackles.

ESPN.com reported Thursday that the Colts traded DB Kevin Thomas and a 7th round pick to the Colts, in exchange for linebackers Moise Fokou and Greg Lloyd.

The Titans placed receiver Marc Mariani (leg) on season-ending injured reserve Sunday.

Leg - Questionable for start of training camp

The Tennessean reports the Titans added tight end Brandon Barden to the 53-man roster Thursday.

Tennessee linebacker Gerald McRath will have surgery on his left knee this week and is expected to miss the upcoming season, Titans coach Mike Munchak told CBSports.com on Sunday. McRath missed the final three games of last season with knee and ankle problems.

Four of the Titans' last five picks in the NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball. The team took Mizzou linebacker Zaviar Gooden, LSU defensive end Lavar Edwards, Nevada cornerback Kahlid Wooten and Nebraska safety Daimion Stafford.

The Titans and veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick agreed to a two-year deal, The Tennessean reports. The former starter in Buffalo will back up Jake Locker.

The Indianapolis Colts made their first round of cuts Sunday and released the following players: defensive backs Cameron Chism, Antonio Fenelus, Terrence Johnson, Chris Rucker, Matt Merletti and David Caldwell; linebacker Mike Balogun; wide receiver Quan Cosby and running back Alvester Alexander.

Titans defensive lineman Derrick Morgan recorded a sack in the Week 14 loss at Indianapolis. Morgan took down quarterback Andrew Luck in the game and finished with three tackles overall.

The Falcons waived or released the following players on Friday: linebacker Spencer Adkins, tight end Lamark Brown (waived/injured), linebacker Rico Council, fullback Mike Cox, wide receiver Drew Davis, cornerback Dominique Franks, linebacker Jerrell Harris, wide receiver Marcus Jackson, cornerback Marty Markett, wide receiver Kerry Meier (waived/injured), running back Dimitri Nance, defensive tackle Conrad Obi, defensive tackle Micanor Regis, wide receiver James Rodgers, linebacker Pat Schiller, cornerback Peyton Thompson and safety Suaesi Tuimaunei and long snapper Joe Zelenka.

Titans safety Michael Griffin (illness) was cleared to play Week 17 vs. Jacksonville after being listed as probable on the injury report.

Tennessee linebacker Akeem Ayers recorded three tackles in Sunday's 24-10 loss to Houston.

Four of the Titans' last five picks in the NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball. The team took Mizzou linebacker Zaviar Gooden, LSU defensive end Lavar Edwards, Nevada cornerback Kahlid Wooten and Nebraska safety Daimion Stafford.

Titans wide receiver Michael Preston, who was just promoted to the active roster Dec. 7, had two catches (on three targets) for 17 yards Week 16 at Green Bay. He now has a combined five catches for 59 yards in three games.

Tennessee was awarded veteran LB Patrick Bailey off waivers. He was cut by the Steelers.

The Titans have signed running back/kick returner Darius Reynaud to a one-year deal according to the Tennessean.

Titans RB Ahmard Hall left Week 17's game early with a probable concussion. He had run the ball twice for 7 yards and made a catch for 4 yards before leaving the game, and he also lost a fumble.

Titans linebacker Zac Brown returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns Week 17 vs. Jacksonville. He picked off Chad Henne twice, with his first interception return for a touchdown going 79 yards late in the second quarter and his second one going for 30 yards early in the third quarter. If that wasn't enough, Brown finished with four tackles (one solo), three pass defenses and one sack.

The City Paper in Nashville reports that Titans running back Chris Johnson is excited about the new offense in Tennessee this year. “Basically we’re learning a new playbook right now and there’s a lot of different things going in,” Johnson said. “It’s something we should have a good time doing. Last year … we basically were trying to turn into like a passing team. Coming in this year [we know] it’s going to be a run-first offense.” The Titans have overhauled their offense to improve the run game. Most notably, they signed free agent guard Andy Levitre and used two picks in the first four rounds of the draft on guard Chance Warmack (first round) and center Brian Scwenke (fourth round). “We want to be able to run the ball when we want to and when we need to,” first-year offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. “Obviously, the commitment made to rebuilding the interior of the offensive line is a big part of that.”

The Tennessean is reporting that Titans defensive end Scott Solomon suffered a sprain MCL in Week 14 against the Colts. Solomon told reporters that he will not require surgery but is still unsure how long he'll be back in practice.

The Titans signed linebacker Xavier Adibi Wednesday to replace the injured Zac Diles, who went on injured reserve with a broken leg.

The Tennessean reports that the Titans released running back Jamie Harper and signed former Jacksonville running back Jalen Parmele. Tennessee had hoped the 5-11, 233-pound Harper would be a good change of pace back to complement Chris Johnson, but he leaves with 36 carries for 74 yards and four touchdowns over two seasons. Harper was bothered by an ankle injury at times last year and he wound up playing in 10 of the team’s 16 games. The 5-11, 225-pound Parmele has played in 35 career NFL games over five seasons. He started two games last year for Jacksonville. One of his starts came Nov. 25 against the Titans, when Parmele carried eight times for 45 yards. Parmele went on injured reserve for the remainder of the year after suffering a groin injury in that game.

The Titans have re-signed fullback Quinn Johnson, The Tennessean reports.

Notable Titans players cut on Friday include: WR Devin Aguilar, TE Brandon Barden, DT Zach Clayton, NT Lamar Divens, DB Aaron Francisco, TE Cameron Graham, CB Chris Hawkins, WR James Kirkendoll, FB Collin Mooney, WR Michael Preston, DT Malcolm Sheppard, DB Tracy Wilson and WR D.J. Woods.

Titans defensive back Alterraun Verner had three tackles in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Texans.

The Titans have signed safety George Wilson, The Tennessean reports. The Bills had let Wilson go on Feb. 11. He's expected to compete for a starting job. "George is a quality veteran player," Titans general manager Ruston Webster said. "He will contribute for us on the field, but his contributions also will come off the field, in the locker room and in the meetings rooms. He was respected as a football player and a leader during his career in Buffalo, and he will bring that veteran presence to our team."

Titans QB Kerry Collins (calf) spoke with the Jacksonville media on their conference call Wednesday, an indication that he is likely to start in Week 13 against the Jaguars over rookie Rusty Smith.

Tennessee defensive back Ryan Mouton was taken out of Thursday's contest against the Cardinals after suffering a concussion. Mouton sustained the injury early in the third quarter just a play after making a tackle on Andre Roberts. His status for the Titans' next preseason game against the Saints on Aug. 30 is uncertain.