NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Not that the Titans are anywhere close to being healed from the variety of maladies -- both figuratively and literally -- that infected them during a four-game losing streak, but snapping that skid while keeping the Jaguars winless in Sunday's 16-14 survival at LP Field did make returning to work this week quite a bit more palatable with an eagerness to stay on the road to recovery.
"It feels a lot better than the last four (Mondays)," said Titans backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who got his first win as a starter since 2010 and second of a nine-year career while subbing for injured starter Jake Locker. " ... It is big. It is a different feel around here (Monday). There are things we could have done better, especially on my side of the ball, but a win takes care of a lot."
The win was also the first at home for first-year Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt, but not before the losing streak nearly reached epidemic proportions as the Jaguars game-winning field goal of 55 yards was blocked by lineman Sammie Hill. The Titans had fallen quite ill the previous Sunday after blowing a 25-point lead to the visiting Browns.
"They've been working hard," Whisenhunt said of effort being validated by success. "They definitely want to do it the right way, but it's always good to have a win. I think the most important thing for us was to get a win at home.
"That was something that was really kind of burning in my gut, and even though once again it didn't go as easily as we would have liked for it to or it could have at some points in the game, we still got that win, and that was something that was important."
Before getting to work on Sunday's visit to the Redskins (1-5), the Titans (2-4) did take a few moments to exhale after the win that followed losses to the Cowboys, Bengals, Colts and Browns. A week from Sunday, the Titans host the AFC South rival Texans before heading into the bye week at midseason.
"After last week, yeah, because last week was tough, Monday after last week's game," Whisenhunt said of seeing pep in player steps this week. "They came in and were business-like. Definitely a few more laughs in the team meeting than there were last week. The thing that I really care about is that we continue to practice the way we have. That's an important thing."
And of that first home win, Whisenhunt enjoyed leaving LP Field with a much-needed victory for a variety of reasons, including for fans that haven't seen the Titans in the playoffs since 2008 or win a postseason game since 2003.
"I did," Whisenhunt said of savoring his first home win. "The fans were great coming off the field. It's been tough on all of us, and I know especially our fans. I enjoyed that. It was good to get the win, and it was nice to see some smiling faces in the stands."
The Titans go into another week wondering if Locker, who missed Sunday's game with a sprained thumb and the Colts' game with a sprained wrist, can return as starter. If not, the Titans will again go with Whitehurst, who has completed 42 of 72 passes (58.3 percent) for 604 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a 93.8 rating.
"I try to just simplify it and not worry about it," Whitehurst said of the approach during the week while not knowing who's starting. "I know people say all the time to worry about things you can control. I try to simplify the football, the life, all that stuff. If I practice, I practice. If I play, I play. I'll prepare the same way."
Locker last threw for the team on Saturday before it was decided he wouldn't play against the Jaguars and miss the 16th of 38 starts over two-plus seasons. This year, he has connected on 65 of 112 passes for four touchdowns, four interceptions and a 75.9 rating.
Whisenhunt left no doubt Locker will return as starter when healthy. But there has been fans chirping about letting rookie Zach Mettenberger, the sixth-round pick out of LSU, have a shot at significant playing time, even starting, if the losing ways continue.
"Nothing's changed with our quarterback," Whisenhunt said. "We're working to get Jake (Locker) healthy, and when he's healthy, that's what our goal is, to get him in there."
If not, then it's back to Whitehurst, who saw no action the last two years as backup for the Chargers, where Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator prior to taking the Titans' job and bringing Whitehurst with him.
"We brought Charlie (Whitehurst) in here with the idea that if he had to play, he could do that," Whisenhunt said. "His familiarity with the offense would help that. I think Charlie's played well. He's performed like he was supposed to do in those roles."
The Titans are also trying to get two starters -- running back Shonn Greene (hamstring) and cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (knee) -- as well as tight ends Craig Stevens (quad) and Taylor Thompson (knee) back on the field. Already lost for the season were safety Bernard Pollard (Achilles) and left tackle Michael Roos (knee).
Rookie Taylor Lewan, the No. 11 overall draft pick, filled in for Roos at left tackle, the position he was destined to take over sooner or later.
