McNair Improving, but Still Won’t Start

Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair could be healthy enough by Sunday to play against Jacksonville, but he will not start.

McNair watched Friday’s workout in tennis shoes and a sweat jacket and has not thrown a pass since his shoulder was injured in the Sept. 9 season-opening loss to Miami.

Coach Jeff Fisher said earlier in the week if McNair was unable to throw before Friday, Neil O’Donnell would start in Jacksonville. The Titans have put off for now deciding whether McNair can be O’Donnell’s backup Sunday.

“The decision we have now is whether he will be the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback for us,” Fisher said. “Unless there’s a miracle between now and kickoff, it just doesn’t make sense to push him.”

Fisher said in recent days McNair has displayed improved strength and range of motion in his throwing arm.

If McNair is listed as the emergency third-string quarterback, Billy Volek would be O’Donnell’s backup. Volek, in his second pro season, has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game.

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Anthony Wright will be start at quarterback for Dallas against San Diego on Sunday, Cowboy Coach Dave Campo said.

Campo did not say who would be the second-string quarterback.

Wright replaces Quincy Carter, who hasn’t practiced all week because of a sore thumb on his throwing hand.

Campo said Carter will return to the starting role as soon as he is physically able.

Carter was injured during a Sept. 12 practice when his thumb hit teammate Troy Hambrick’s helmet.

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Baltimore Raven wide receiver and kick returner Jermaine Lewis probably will miss Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a hamstring injury.

Lewis, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the Super Bowl, hurt his hamstring in practice Thursday.

“We got the MRI back,” Coach Brian Billick said, “and it looks a lot better than we thought it would, but he’ll be doubtful.”

Brandon Stokley, Duane Starks and Chris McAlister fielded punts during practice Friday.

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Indianapolis Colt linebacker Sean Harris had surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his neck and shoulder.

Harris, a former Chicago Bear starter who signed as a free agent during training camp, was hurt in the Colts’ 45-24 victory over the New York Jets two weeks ago.

Colt Coach Jim Mora said that he wasn’t sure how long Harris would be out of action or if the team would be shopping for another outside linebacker on the waiver wire.

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Minnesota Viking kick returner Nate Jacquet says he’ll appeal a $5,000 fine imposed by the league this week for taunting an opponent.

Jacquet threw a football at Carolina’s Karl Hankton in the fourth quarter of their Sept. 9 season opener, which the Vikings lost, 24-13.

He was penalized nine yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after throwing the ball at Hankton, who tackled him for no gain on a punt return.

Hankton had pushed Jacquet on the side of his helmet, provoking him, Jacquet said.