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| The Titans would not consider trading Chris Johnson, head coach Mike Munchak said. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Coach Mike Munchak says the Tennessee Titans haven't talked about trading Chris Johnson and the answer would be no if the star running back asked for such a move.
"We would figure he's under contract for two years, he's going to be a Titan and we would hope a longer term than that,'' Munchak said Thursday. "But I don't think that's anything we would even give any consideration to. He's with us one way or another, and hopefully it ends up being on the field.''
Johnson and his agent met with Tennessee general manager Mike Reinfeldt in Nashville on Wednesday and then the running back to Orlando.
The running back teased on Twitter that he would update the status of talks between his agent, Joel Segal, and the Titans after his workout. But the three-year veteran later tweeted that he had been advised not to say anything.
"I'll give everyone update when the time is right,'' Johnson tweeted.
The Titans say they want to make him the highest paid running back in NFL history. Johnson reportedly wants more than $35 million guaranteed and $13 million per year.
Reinfeldt left practice early Thursday and has declined to talk to reporters aside from a statement Wednesday calling the meeting "beneficial.'' Reinfeldt also said he would talk to Segal in a day or so.
Johnson did not return text messages from The Associated Press. But the three-time Pro Bowler told The Tennessean he and his agent were reviewing what the Titans said and are taking it "one day at a time.''
That could mean Segal is preparing a counteroffer for the Titans.
Time is running out with the Titans opening the season Sept. 11 at Jacksonville. Javon Ringer, the only running back on the roster who has carried the ball in the regular season, will miss a second straight preseason game Saturday night against Chicago (1-1) due to a sore hip.
Munchak is hoping Ringer will be able to play Sept. 1 in the preseason finale against New Orleans, but rookie Jamie Harper, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson, is set to get his second consecutive start.
The longer talks go between Johnson and the Titans, Tennessee will move closer to possibly adding a veteran running back. Munchak said he's sure Reinfeldt and Ruston Webster, vice president of player personnel, are studying options, which will grow with cuts over the next week.
Munchak isn't sure when such a move would have to be made.
"It's something where you're always being aware of what's out there in case this would grow into an uglier situation than we'd hoped,'' Munchak said.
NOTES: WR Kenny Britt (quad/hamstring) will not play Saturday night, and Munchak said he expects the receiver to play longer Sept. 1 against New Orleans. OL Troy Kropog (knee) also won't play along with DE Jason Jones (left knee) DE Derrick Morgan (left knee). Rookie OL Byron Stingily (back) and OL Kevin Matthews (right ankle) may play.
