Gerald

McRath

McRath was injured while covering a kick and had to be carted to the locker room. The Titans were already thin at linebacker thanks to Barrett Ruud’s groin injury.

McRath was trying to practice through the injury, but he could no longer go and the Titans realized the knee wasn’t getting any better. His loss is a blow to Tennessee’s linebacker depth, as McRath was going to be the top backup at all three positions. McRath is “confident” he’ll be ready to play in 2013. Talented but star crossed, McRath will be a free agent in March.

Penciled in as a strict backup, surgery could endanger McRath’s roster spot. The 2009 fourth-round pick acknowledged in July that 2012 was a make-or-break year for his NFL future.

Brown saw some first-team action on Thursday, but only because starter Will Witherspoon was excused. Titans coaches have been impressed with Brown’s speed and ability to pick up the playbook, but he figures to take on a situational role during his rookie season. Gerald McRath is also in the mix for weak-side reps.

The 2009 fourth-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract. “In my situation, it’s like your senior year in college,” McRath said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen after this year, so you have to take full advantage of your opportunities.” Not the same player since earning a four-game steroid ban to begin the 2010 season, McRath will enter Week 1 as a strict backup.

McRath hasn’t recorded a tackle since Week 1, regressing to a strict backup role. Otherwise, the Titans are healthy as they begin the adjustment to playing without Kenny Britt. Nate Washington and Damian Williams are their starting wideouts. The Titans other inactives: QB Rusty Smith, OT Byron Stingily, C/G Kevin Matthews, DT Malcolm Sheppard, DL Zach Clayton and CB Chris Hawkins.

Gocong, 29, and McRath, 26, haven’t drawn an ounce of interest in free agency. Gocong tore his Achilles’ last season and just started running in February, while McRath missed the entire 2012 season with a torn left patella tendon. The Eagles have depth at linebacker, but maybe one of the two veterans will impress.

McRath missed the entire 2012 season after tearing his left patellar tendon. He appeared in 30 games in his first three seasons, starting 12. In a weak free-agent class for 4-3 outside linebackers, the talented and lanky McRath could be a bargain buy.

“He’s still a ways away alright now,” Fisher said. “Right now he’s not able to practice, so no, he’s not (a starter).” Fisher went to call Thornton’s injury history a “legitimate concern.” The Titans have alternatives this year with Gerald McRath and Will Witherspoon.

A once-promising fourth-round pick out of Southern Miss, McRath’s career was derailed in 2012 by a torn left patellar tendon, one of the toughest injuries an NFL player can suffer. Still only 27, McRath could parlay a big season up north into a league tryout late in training camp or before the 2015 NFL campaign.