TITANS’ MAWAE SAYS HE WON’T PLAY

Unless Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae and quarterback Kerry Collins are just sandbagging about the severity of Mawae’s injured right elbow, don’t expect to see Mawae grappling with Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis during Saturday’s AFC divisional playoff game at LP Field. First, Mawae practically ruled himself out in a Tuesday morning interview with Sirius NFL Radio, saying, “I’m not going to play this week,” before expressing hope that he would be available next week if the Titans advance to the AFC title game. Then, Titans quarterback Kerry Collins seconded Mawae’s opinion when asked later about his center’s status during a conference call with Baltimore reporters. “I wish he was out there with us this weekend,” Collins said, “but I think Leroy Harris is stepping in and will do a great job.” A seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a 15-year veteran, Mawae hasn’t been able to practice since hurting his elbow Dec. 21. Harris is a second-year player who started during a 23-0 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the final regular-season contest. Although Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he’s holding out hope that Mawae will be able to play and described the lineman’s status as “day-to-day,” it looks like the Titans won’t have Mawae’s veteran presence to lean on as they compete with a stout Baltimore defensive line that features 6-foot-4, 345-pound defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.