McNair Preparing to Make Return

Quarterback Steve McNair says the time has come for him to play football again for the Tennessee Titans.

The co-most valuable player of 2003 has sat out three starts this season, including the last two games, since bruising his chest again in a loss at Minnesota on Oct. 24.

McNair practiced for a second consecutive day Thursday, and said he felt good and was happy he sat out last week’s 19-17 overtime loss to Chicago because his chest wasn’t as sore as a week ago.

“I can go out and throw pain-free,” McNair said. “Hopefully, I don’t get hit at all, but I know it’s going to come.... It’s just a matter of taking that one direct hit and putting me back out.” Coach Jeff Fisher said he wasn’t ready to commit to McNair on Sunday against Jacksonville (6-3), calling it a game-time decision.

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Terrell Owens apologized to anyone offended by his role in a steamy segment with actress Nicollette Sheridan for the introduction to “Monday Night Football.”

“I felt like it was clean, the organization felt like it was a clean skit and I think it just really got taken out of context with a lot of people and I apologize for that,” Owens said. “Personally I didn’t think it would have offended anyone and, if it did, I apologize.”

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Kansas City Chief running back Priest Holmes, who leads the league with 15 touchdowns, will sit out Monday night’s game against New England because of strained ligaments in his right knee.... Pittsburgh running back Duce Staley sat out practice again because of a sore hamstring that has kept him out of two games, meaning he is unlikely to play Sunday in Cincinnati.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ injury-riddled defensive line suffered another major blow -- tackle Anthony McFarland will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn right triceps.

McFarland, who signed a six-year, $31-million contract that included a $9.5-million signing bonus before last season, will have surgery to correct the problem that sidelined him most of the last two games.

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Carolina Panther quarterback Jake Delhomme said he was encouraged about his chances of playing against the Arizona Cardinals after throwing for the first time this week. Delhomme didn’t take any snaps during practice and was held out of team drills but did throw on the side for the first time since suffering a hairline fracture in his right thumb Sunday at San Francisco.... Minnesota Viking center Matt Birk is expected to start Sunday against the Detroit Lions despite pain in his abdomen. Birk sat out three weeks after undergoing surgery Aug. 4 to repair a sports hernia but has started eight of nine regular-season games. He sat out the other because of a sprained ankle.... The NFL will not fine Washington Redskin safety Sean Taylor after looking into allegations that a Cincinnati player was spit on during Sunday’s game.