NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee has switched up its offensive line again.
Interim coach Mike Mularkey says undrafted rookie free agent Quinton Spain will make his first career start Sunday against the Oakland Raiders at left guard.
Spain will be the third starter at left guard, replacing Joe Looney. Mularkey said Friday rookie Andy Gallik will start at center for a fourth straight game after the Titans (2-8) looked at Looney in practice Monday. Spain brings more size than Looney at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, and the rookie started 38 games at West Virginia.
”He’s smart; that helps with the things we’re doing,” Mularkey said of Spain. ”But he’s shown enough that I’m going to give him a shot here to earn that spot. It’s going to be a good test. They have a couple of big defensive tackles that create a wall up there, and we need to move them.”
Wide receiver Kendall Wright practiced fully for a second straight day Friday, and he is probable to play after missing the last three games with a sprained left MCL. Even with his absence, Wright still leads Tennessee’s receivers with 28 catches for 343 yards and will boost a thin receiving corps.
”There’s been some things catch-wise having to adjust to some throws he’s done well, so I think he’s back full go,” Mularkey said of Wright.
Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson (hamstring) and nose tackle Sammie Hill (knee) also practiced fully Friday and are probable. Linebacker Derrick Morgan missed a second straight practice with an injured shoulder that Mularkey said will need to be monitored for the rest of the season. Morgan is questionable and will be a game-time decision.
Running back Dexter McCluster is out with a right knee hurt in last week’s 19-13 loss at Jacksonville. With McCluster out, Mularkey said rookie receiver Tre McBride will handle kickoffs against Oakland, with cornerback Perrish Cox and receiver Harry Douglas sharing punt returns.
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