NASHVILLE -- Titans middle linebacker Colin McCarthy remains in a walking boot and will be evaluated Saturday to determine if he can play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills on his sprained right ankle.
Though McCarthy is improving, coach Mike Munchak said Friday the Titans decided not to risk aggravating the linebacker's high ankle sprain so they held him out of practice.
"We just thought it was smarter not to irritate it at all and let him rest, kind of like what we did in the past with him," Munchak said.
"He feels better every day, but to come out here and get 10 snaps in individual, we really didn't think it was worth it to put him through that. Each day he's gotten better. We thought it would be better not to irritate it and evaluate him" Saturday.
The Titans (2-4) have to decide whether or not to rest McCarthy, who missed three games earlier this season after originally hurting his ankle in the season opener.
McCarthy said Monday this injury could linger all season long if he continues to play on it.
"I've never had a high ankle (before), so I don't know what to expect," McCarthy said. "It doesn't get healthy. It's something nagging for the rest of the season, I'm expecting. So I'll just have to deal with it."
Munchak said they could try resting McCarthy to give his ankle time to improve more.
"That's what our thinking would be if we went that way. We'll be smart," Munchak said. "We need him in a big way, and 60 per cent or not quite right every week isn't a good thing either. "
Tennessee's defence has struggled this season ranking 28th overall with McCarthy in and out of the lineup. He's a defensive captain who helps line his teammates up even though he's just in his second season.
"You can see the attitude he brings to the defence," Bills coach Chan Gailey said of McCarthy. "He is hustling all the time and he tries to hit everything that is moving or touching the ball. He is really a go-getter type of player. Really a head hunter out and plays that Mike backer for them extremely well."
Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey practiced Friday and is questionable with a shoulder injury. Offensive tackle Mike Otto practiced with his knee injury and is also questionable. Linebacker Patrick Bailey (hand) is probable, while quarterback Jake Locker (left shoulder), running back Javon Ringer (left knee) and cornerback Tommie Campbell (left ankle) are out.
