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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –** DeMarco Murray might not have needed Sunday's big-game performance, but the Titans sure did.
Following a week when Murray was limited in practice with a hamstring injury, the Titans running back ran for 115 yards and a touchdown in a 33-27 win over the Seahawks. Murray provided one of the game's big highlights on his 75-yard touchdown run.
"Was he hurt?," tight end Delanie Walker said of Murray. "He sure didn't look like it to me.
"… DeMarco played great today. I am excited that his hamstring is good and he went out there and ran the ball very well. We have two great running backs and whoever is in there I have trust in them."
Yes, Murray was slowed in practices during the week.
He was also questioned by fans following a week when second-year running back Derrick Henry ran for a career-high 92 yards last week against the Jaguars. With just 69 rushing yards through two games, some fans questioned whether Henry should take over as the team's lead back.
Coach Mike Mularkey insisted he was sticking with Murray, and on Sunday he produced the 27th 100-yard rushing performance of his career.
"DeMarco is a freak," tackle Jack Conklin. "He has done it now year after year, and no matter what he gets it done. On that run, he made some great cuts, and the blocking downfield, it was great."
Mularkey said he had no doubts about Murray's availability on Sunday, despite the fact Murray missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday. Early in the game at Nissan Stadium, Henry suffered a thigh bruise as well.
"He looked me in the eye and said he was ready to go, and I trust him," Mularkey said of Murray. "We needed the big run. We haven't had that this year, even in the preseason. This is a really good defense."
So, about that run.
In the third quarter, Murray headed to his left and then found an opening, thanks to blocks by tackle Taylor Lewan and fullback Jalston Fowler, who blocked the same player near the line of scrimmage and then again 50 yards downfield, where receiver Rishard Matthews also made a key block.
At the end of the run, the Titans had a 30-14 lead.
It was the longest run allowed during Pete Carroll's tenure as head coach of the Seahawks.
"Great blocking, and when I got the edge I wanted to use a little speed and make it happen," Murray said. "It was a collective effort by the entire team."
Murray, who finished third in the NFL with 1,287 rushing yards a year ago, didn't bite when asked if he needed the game for his confidence, or to reclaim his footing.
But he was sure happy to get it.
"It was great," Murray said. "I just think it was great for the team. We could have finished a little bit better as a team, but I think that run kind of escalated us to get the win. It was a great effort for special teams, defense and offense. It was just a great team win for us."
The Tennessee Titans take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 action at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
