Lavelle

Hawkins

“We have a good group (at receiver), but it is really more about Kendall,” Webster said. “He has the speed and the big-play ability, the ability to catch a short ball and turn it into a long run. And he can create some things for us on offense.” Coach Mike Munchak expects Wright to “be able to help right away,” which means less playing time for Damian Williams and Lavelle Hawkins.

Hawkins say a bone poking through the skin in his right index finger during last week’s game against the Bengals, but kept playing. He’ll serve as the No. 3 receiver once again this week.

Williams’ role is already increasing. He has 33 targets over the past four games compared to 25 for Nate Washington. Hasselbeck and OC Chris Palmer also said third receiver Lavelle Hawkins has “improved greatly” in recent weeks. He could end up eating into Washington’s targets as well.

He wraps up the season with career highs on receptions (47) and yards (470), moving into the No. 3 receiver role after Kenny Britt’s early season-ending ACL injury. Hawkins has never taken the next step toward being NFL starter-caliber, however, and is an impending free agent. The Titans will probably be interested in re-signing him at a low rate.

Hawkins conceded that the finger was “numb” after the game, but it’s probably not a long-term injury. Of course, it won’t help Hawkins’ chances of earning a bigger role going forward, nor will his disastrous two-minute drill to end the game. He had a false start causing a 10-second runoff, a fumble (recovered by TEN), and on the game’s final desperation play he refused to lateral to his open teammates.

Hawkins finished with more targets and receiving yards than Damian Williams. He has minimal fantasy value going forward and would only be worth consideration in deeper leagues if Nate Washington (ankle, back) is out for next week’s game.

Hawkins’ season-highs of eight catches and 88 yards were an aberration due to the Titans playing from behind at Indy. Tennessee passed on a whopping 51 of Hawkins’ 54 snaps, which won’t happen again. Don’t bother picking up Hawkins for Week 16.

Hawkins, who turns 26 in July, finished the 2011 season with career highs in receptions (47) and yards (470), though he’s averaged under 11 yards per catch in his career and with just one touchdown in four years. Hawkins should enter 2012 as the Titans’ fourth receiver behind Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and Damian Williams. The club values Hawkins because he can play all three receiver positions and contribute on special teams coverage.

Hawkins had just two catches for five yards before leaving. The severity of the injury is unknown.

It’s a nice haul for a player who had made just 19 catches in three seasons coming into 2011. Hawkins is still unlikely to be anything more than the Titans’ No. 4 receiver in 2012, however. His fantasy value remains limited to deeper PPR leagues.