NASHVILLE, Tenn. --The second half of the season starts Sunday, and the Titans have returned from their bye week "enthusiastic and ready to go" against the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said.
Tennessee (5-3) is tied with Indianapolis for first in the AFC South. Miami (4-4) trails the New England Patriots (6-2) and New York Jets (6-2) in the AFC East standings.
The Titans are returning to action after a bye week during which quarterback Vince Young and receiver Kenny Britt rested injuries. Young practiced for the first time Thursday and said he is day-to-day, depending on how his sprained ankle feels Sunday.
"It's an injury," Young said. "You've got to take your time and be smart about the whole situation. Yes, I want to be out there playing. If I feel good, you'll see me out there playing."
Young suffered sprains to his ankle and knee on Oct. 18 at Jacksonville. He left that game early, missed the Titans' next game against Philadelphia on Oct. 24 and aggravated his ankle during a scramble at San Diego on Oct. 31.
Britt injured his hamstring early against San Diego and will not play Sunday, which is expected to feature the debut of receiver Randy Moss in a Titans uniform. Tennessee claimed Moss off waivers on Nov. 3, and he joined the team Monday.
Young said he enjoyed his first practice with Moss, who ranks ninth in NFL history in receptions (948), fifth in receiving yards (14,778) and second in receiving touchdowns (153).
"You can tell he's a veteran, very smart, doing a good job of asking questions," Young said. "Overall he's been trying to make sure he's in the right place for the whole offense. He fits in wherever we put him. I feel like he's a guy that can stretch the field. The chemistry will be fine. He's a veteran receiver."
Young and Titans coach Jeff Fisher said reading the defense will determine where Young or Kerry Collins will go with the football in Moss's debut.
"We all know what Randy can do on the outside and do those spectacular plays," Young said. "It's based on what the defense is doing. I want to get the ball into the right guy's hands like I've been doing."
Fisher said Moss is quickly picking up the Titans' offense, although some minor adjustments between quarterback and receiver on deep pass attempts might be required.
"We're going to put the ball up," Fisher said. "The ball is going to go where the progression tells you to go, and if you one-on-one opportunities, you might as well take advantage of them."
Miami enters the game after a 26-10 loss at Baltimore, and with a quarterback change. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano announced Wednesday that 11-year NFL veteran Chad Pennington will start instead of three-year pro Chad Henne.
Pennington's last snap in a game occurred in Week 3 of the 2009 season when Pennington suffered a shoulder injury.
"(Pennington) is a very talented quarterback," Fisher said. "The last time we played him here he was with the Jets and beat us. He has a very good understanding of their offense. I personally didn't feel like Chad Henne was playing that bad. I've always been a Henne fan and he threw for 349 against us last year."
Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon said Miami's change at quarterback doesn't affect the Titans' preparations or mentality.
"I can't really answer for what their psyche might be," Witherspoon said. "I don't think ours changes. Chad Pennington is still a great quarterback, a guy who's in this league a long time, a smart guy. You can't doubt that."
Titans safety Michael Griffin said, "You've got to be ready for whatever. You may never know what will happen in a ball game."
Griffin recorded an interception in each of the first four weeks of October and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month.
Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch, a native of Miami, said he thinks the Dolphins will be prepared, regardless of who they play at quarterback.
"They practice with both quarterbacks throughout the season," Tulloch said. "We've just got to play the ball we know how to play and get after them. I needed the rest but I'm looking forward to getting back out there."
Fisher said the Titans "clearly came back rested and enthusiastic and ready to go," but it will be important to remain focused.
"That can be the issue after bye weeks," Fisher said. "Tempo's off, timing's off, rhythm's off. Typically, you look around the league, and penalties start to creep up after bye weeks. You just have to remained focused or refocus when you come back."
Gage, Brown may return
Titans wide receiver Justin Gage, who missed the past four games with a hamstring injury, could return to the lineup Sunday.
Gage said he's looking forward to game action and hopes the Titans "pick up where we left off."
Tennessee defensive tackle Tony Brown, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury, practiced Thursday. Fisher said the timing of the bye week helped Brown.
"Tony Brown definitely benefitted from backing down," Fisher said. "We changed his routine. We added a lot of functional things over the last couple of weeks. He's been working with (strength and conditioning) Coach (Steve) Watterson, so he's much better."
