NASHVILLE, Tenn. - All Raheem Brock wants is a chance to chase quarterbacks, and he believes the Tennessee Titans will give him his best chance to do just that.
The eight-year veteran signed a one-year contract with Tennessee on Thursday after working out and passing a physical. The Titans had him on the field for practice to help a banged-up unit. Brock had worked out for Houston on Wednesday, but he said Thursday he thinks Tennessee is the best place for someone who spent his career in Indianapolis until now.
"I think I'm in a good situation where I just have to take advantage of it plain and simple,'' Brock said after practice. "They play a great defensive scheme that fits what I do. Right now I just have to take advantage of it.''
The Titans needed the help.
Tennessee lost end William Hayes to a sprained right medial collateral ligament in his knee on Tuesday, and he will miss at least two weeks. Tackle Tony Brown remains on the physically unable to perform list, and top draft pick Derrick Morgan has yet to practice with the full team.
Coach Jeff Fisher said rookie end Marcus Howard suffered a triceps injury and had season-ending surgery, so the Titans waived him and will reach an injury settlement with him. The Titans also signed end Chris Harrington while releasing receiver Phillip Morris.
"This is what sometimes happens at this time of training camp,'' Fisher said. "You have injuries and you have to move people around so you can get to the preseason games.''
The Titans open the preseason Saturday night at Seattle. With four preseason games, Brock and Harrington will have their chance to compete.
"It should be enough so they can show us what they can do,'' Fisher said.
Brock spent his first eight seasons with Indianapolis and has 28 1/2 career sacks. But he wasn't happy playing inside at tackle in Indianapolis where he won a Super Bowl ring and asked to be released in March. The 32-year-old lineman found himself waiting and waiting for the chance to join another team until the phone really started ringing this week.
He said the wait was frustrating.
"It's a business. It's how it is. ... My boys Dwight (Freeney) and Robert (Mathis), they're out there and they ball just as hard as anybody else. For me, I was just looking for the opportunity to play end and get to that quarterback like they have,'' Brock said.
Brock hit the practice field with No. 96, the number that had been worn by Morgan. But the rookie will join Brown in not playing in Seattle as he recovers from a strained left calf. Morgan, the 16th pick overall, said he had been looking to change numbers and now has his sights set on No. 91 and is in negotiations. No. 90, last worn by Jevon Kearse, is another option.
Tackle Jason Jones has worn No. 91 since the Titans drafted him in the second round of the 2008 draft and said he is a little sentimental about that number.
"It might just come down to me keeping it,'' Jones said.
NOTES: Fisher said LB David Thornton, who remains on the PUP list, also will not play in Seattle. CB Cortland Finnegan (hip flexor), S Vincent Fuller (left knee), LB Stanford Keglar (hamstring), CB Tye Hill, S Nick Schommer and WR Damian Williams will be questionable.
