National Football League
Veteran right tackle misses 3rd straight practice
National Football League

Veteran right tackle misses 3rd straight practice

Published Dec. 20, 2013 8:25 p.m. ET

Tennessee right tackle David Stewart has missed three straight practices with a sore shoulder, and now the Titans have to decide whether it's better to sit the veteran Sunday against Jacksonville and give him a little bit more rest.

Coach Mike Munchak said Friday that Stewart is questionable and they'll decide Saturday if he will miss his third game this season. Munchak said Stewart has played without practicing but that it is hard.

With only the season finale remaining after Sunday's game, the Titans (5-9) could shut down Stewart for the rest of the year. . Byron Stingily or Mike Otto would start if Stewart doesn't play.

''He's missed a couple games now for that reason,'' Munchak said of Stewart not practicing. ''We would definitely consider that .. then really with the rest how he would feel next week.''

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Stewart was a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2005, and he has started all 116 games he has played since moving into the starting lineup in his second season in 2006. He didn't miss a start until 2009 when he missed a start against San Francisco on Nov. 8 the season Chris Johnson ran for 2,006 yards. Stewart missed one game in 2011 and the first 12 in 2012 before breaking his right leg Dec. 2 in a loss to Houston.

The ankle limited Stewart early this season and then he started dealing with a shoulder injury. He missed a win at St. Louis on Nov. 3 and a loss to the Jaguars on Nov. 10. Stewart said he knows he'll be talking with the team doctor with some MRI exams involved once the season ends.

''It's frustrating,'' Stewart said. ''Just play through the pain and see where it goes from there.''

Defensive tackle Mike Martin also is questionable after hurting an ankle in practice Thursday.

Chris Johnson, given a day of rest Wednesday, is probable with a sore knee. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (shoulder), center Brian Schwenke (ankle), cornerback Alterraun Verner (groin) are all probable.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org

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