NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans coach Jeff Fisher said tight end Jared Cook has earned and will receive more playing time as the team heads towards its final four games.
Cook led Tennessee with four catches for a career-high 47 yards Sunday against Jacksonville. Cook tied his career-high for receptions that he set one week earlier at Houston. Fisher said the second-year pro's comfort in the offense grew from his play on special teams this season.
"It started with special teams," Fisher said. "He was running around, playing physical, using his speed, taking advantage of his athletic ability. I think that in and of itself has allowed him to be more confident with the offense."
Fisher said the Titans are continuing to develop more ways to get the football to 13-year veteran Randy Moss, who has five catches for 62 yards since Tennessee claimed him off waivers. Moss was targeted with three pass attempts Sunday. He and quarterback Kerry Collins couldn't connect on a deep ball on a fourth-and-seven play from the Jaguars' 42-yard-line just before halftime.
The Titans are trying to spark their offense, which hasn't scored a touchdown for 13 quarters, and break a five-game losing streak and two-game home skid when they host Indianapolis Thursday at LP Field.
Tennessee (5-7) has fallen from first in the AFC South and is two games behind Jacksonville (7-5). The Colts (6-6) have lost three in a row and are second in the division behind the Jaguars.
"We've just got to win a game," Fisher said. "The challenges are obvious this week. Three days from now we're playing a (future) Hall of Fame quarterback (in Peyton Manning)."
Fisher said he was encouraged that the Titans did not sustain significant injuries against the Jaguars. The short week prompted a walk-through for Monday and the scheduling of practice for Tuesday, which is normally the players' off day.
Fisher said the Titans' offense must do better at keeping the ball for longer periods of time. Tennessee ranks last in the NFL in time of possession, which is a departure from most teams coached by Fisher. Prior to this season, the Titans ranked third in time of possession (31:17) from 1995-2009.
Sunday, when the Jaguars held the ball for 39:54 compared to 20:06 for the Titans, marked the sixth straight game in which opponents have had the ball significantly more than Tennessee.
Fisher said people who criticized Tennessee's effort are not differentiating between fatigue of the defense.
"When people refer to effort, (the players) are playing hard," Fisher said. "I look at it differently. It's a glass half-full, half-empty. These guys are doing some good things considering the way we're built and the size of our defensive line and the number of plays we've played, compared to a lot more defenses. They're still fighting."
