Titans opt to keep Collins as starter

The Tennessee Titans are sticking with veteran Kerry Collins as their starting quarterback as long as the team keeps winning.

“We’re going to get Vince [Young] back, get his knee back, work with him, get him back involved in the offense,” Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday. “But Kerry’s going to go ahead and play for us until either he struggles or whatever else happens. Yeah, you saw by the way he played. In light of everything, it just makes sense to go with him.”

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Wide receiver Steve Smith returned to the Carolina Panthers after his two-game suspension for breaking a teammate’s nose in a training camp fight. Smith did not speak to reporters.

In reference to the Panthers’ 2-0 start without Smith, Coach John Fox said: “I think the type of guys we have in that locker room, I think an unfortunate incident is made into a positive.”

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Asked about reports that Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis wanted to fire him as coach, Lane Kiffin said: “He has a decision to make. It does me no good to worry about it right now.”

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San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman had surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. He was also fined $7,500 by the NFL for unnecessarily striking Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme below the knees in a Sept. 7 game. . . . Atlanta Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and speeding in suburban Atlanta, but Coach Mike Smith shed no light on any potential discipline Milloy might face.