TITANS HEAD COACH MIKE MULARKEY PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT - August 25, 2017

(on how he liked this week's practices heading into Sunday's game against the Bears)

I thought we had a great week, that's what I just told them. Had a great week. I would like to carry it over to the Sunday noon hour. I liked that we got an extra padded practice, which you typically don't do during a typical regular-season week. Thursday we got a lot of things done that we normally could not do with the pads on. I like that and I like that they came out prepared for it. Nobody blinked an eye. That's the way we do things around here, and we got a lot of work done.

(on if running back DeMarco Murray had the week he needed to play Sunday)

I'll make that decision after I watch the team today.

(on wide receiver Tajaé Sharpe)

He's actually doing very well. I'm really pleased with where he is conditioning wise. It'll be something we get into a two-minute drive or a long drive, I'd like to see where he is with it. I've been pretty pleased with the production from him.

(on what he would like to see from Tajaé Sharpe)

Just let him go. He's going to be a little rusty, obviously, the first time on the field, but I think he needs that. I really think that'll be good for him.

(on if DeMarco Murray will play on Sunday against the Bears)

I'll let you know that. I felt that way this time last week and by game-time I made a decision. I'm not making that decision (yet), I want to watch the tape on DeMarco (Murray).

(on if DeMarco Murray needs as many reps in the preseason as younger players)

No, I don't think so.

(on if wide receiver Eric Decker will play on Sunday against the Bears)

He will not play. 

(on if it's safe to assume that Eric Decker will not play in the fourth preseason game)

I wouldn't assume that, I wouldn't define anything. Every day is a new day and we'll see where they're at.

(on if defensive lineman Karl Klug will play on Sunday against the Bears)

I think he's ready to go. He's off the injury list, he's full go.

(on if any players have been definitively ruled out for Sunday's game)

I want to see how Jalston Fowler (is). Today is the first day of practice, took some reps, I want to see how he looked in practice. I have to watch film for me to confirm. Harry Douglas will not play, he's got a knee (injury) he's dealing with. The same guys, Corey Davis, Curtis Riley will not play. The guys that you didn't see practice all week won't play on Sunday.

(on if safety Da'Norris Searcy will play on Sunday against the Bears)

Da'Norris (Searcy), personal reasons. He will play.

(on what he would like to see from quarterback Alex Tanney)

Continued improvement each time he gets out there. I think that he has grown in that position. I think that he's gotten better, I would just like to see him continue to do that.

(on if there is a chance the team will only carry two quarterbacks during the regular season)

That's a wait and see, evaluate the roster. I can't stress it enough, special teams plays a large factor in a lot of these decisions. That'll be a discussion.

(on wide receiver Harry Douglas' injury)

Well he's not going to play Sunday, I'll say that.

(on nose tackle Antwaun Woods' injury)

He's another one that may (play), I've just got to see how he comes through, how he's feeling by game time. The last time he did this during the preseason, he took a couple of days off and he fought through it. I've got to see if that's the case this time.

(on if Antwaun Woods is a good example for undrafted rookie free agents)

I'd say he's a great example. He got reps last year, he played in games last year. You talk about any undrafted free agent that's playing your rookie year in NFL games, you've done something to show that you're capable of playing at this level, and he continues to do that.

(on Antwaun Woods playing over free agent nose tackle Sylvester Williams)

That's irrelevant, draft choice, how much money you make, the best guy is going to play. It's been that way and it will be that way.

(on the progress that tight end Jonnu Smith has made through camp)

He's come a long way. I think you saw a lot of what he's capable of doing last week. There's a lot of things I like that he's doing. He is very instinctive for a rookie to do some of the things he does at that position, especially. There's a lot of demands on that position, not just learning what to do, the plays, but also what's happening when the ball snaps, what others are going to do. That's as instinctive of a player that I've seen since I've been coaching tight ends. He can continue to improve, and he could be very good if he does the things he does now, as far as studying, he can be very good.

(on the positive impact tight end Delanie Walker has had on Jonnu Smith

A ton. Watch Delanie (Walker), watch how he does things. I think that's really good for Jonnu (Smith), to be around Delanie (Walker).

(on Jonnu Smith's ability to block at the point of attack)

Pretty happy. I have to say, for putting that demand on him and asking him, not asking him just telling him, that's the way we do things here. You've got to be able to block the point, block the big guys. He's taken on that challenge and done, I think, very well.