NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Titans center Eugene Amano will miss the season because of a torn triceps muscle in his right arm.
Amano started at center the past two seasons for the Titans. He was injured Thursday night in practice when hit by a helmet while blocking on a pass attempt. He will have surgery next week.
Amano was competing for his starting spot with Kevin Matthews and Fernando Velasco, who had been getting work at right guard. Now it'll be Velasco or Matthews who will open the season at center. Matthews, though, has been out since Thursday with a concussion.
"Fernando has taken reps the last couple of days, and we've talked about him going in this second week anyway and it worked out that way,'' Titans coach Mike Munchak said. "We're confident in him. Kevin Matthews will probably be back on Wednesday.
Leroy Harris moves into the starter's role at right guard.
Velasco said he's been preparing for a chance to start, but didn't want it to happen at the expense of Amano.
"Being a backup guy, I always prepared like I was a starter anyway. I hate it for Eugene, but it's time for me to step up,'' Velasco said Friday. "I've always had confidence in myself, and I know I can play the game at this level and play it at a high level.''
The Titans also signed veteran center/guard Chris Morris.
The 6-foot-4 Morris has played four seasons with Oakland, and appeared in four games for Carolina in 2010. Last season, he spent time in training camp with New England and Detroit.
NOTES: QB Matt Hasselbeck operated the first-team offense, and Jake Locker ran the second team...First-round pick Kendall Wright got his first full pads practice in after agreeing to his $8.2 million deal Tuesday. Wright split time between the first and second units at receiver...RB Darius Reynaud sat out practice with a rib injury...TE Brandon Barden (hamstring) remains out...DE Dave Ball was excused for personal reasons, while receiver Damian Williams and TE Jared Cook were excused to attend the funeral of Titans receiver O.J. Murdock, who committed suicide on Monday.
