NASHVILLE – Quarterback Chris Simms is looking at about a 50-50 chance of staying on the 53-man Titans roster this seasons.

Simms, wh did not play in the Carolina game, is supposed to see some time against the Saints on Thursday. The deadline is Saturday for the roster to be cut to 53.

"There's maybe one or two guys that can change an opinion, whether it's my position or not, I don't know, nor do I care," Simms said Tuesday. "It is just about going out and doing my best and working on my craft.

" … I say it's 50-50 whether I am here or not. I have been around the NFL long enough to know what the heck is going on. I know we have four quarterbacks here and four pretty good ones, so we'll see what happens.''

Kerry Collins has stepped up his game enough to keep his backup job right behind Vince Young. Simms is 9-18 passing for 41 yards in two appearances, while rookie Rusty Smith is 16-30 for 144 yards with two interceptions.

Of the four quarterbacks, Collins is the only one with a touchdown pass.

Defensive end and rookie Derrick Morgan practiced once, and defensive tackle Tony Brown is doing the same this week.

Brown was on the Physically Unable to Perform list until Tuesday and got through his first practice since injuring his knee last year. The Titans have a walk-through today, so when Brown suits up against the Saints, he will have one practice down.

"I'm ready," said Brown, the team's best defensive lineman last season. "I'll be out there Thursday. I don't know how long I'll play and that don't even matter to me. I'll play as long as they need me to. I've just decided it's fun to be back out there running around pain-free, free of all that stuff in the past, so I'm just ready to roll."

Coach Jeff Fisher has ruled out defensive end Williams Haynes and tackle Mike Otto for Thursday's game due to knee injuries.

Linebacker Rennie Curran and defensive end Jacob Ford both have injured hamstrings, and guard Leroy Harris has a hurt ankle. None of them practiced Tuesday, but it is still unclear if they will play tomorrow.

Linebacker David Thornton has a hurt shoulder and is on the PUP list, but has not been ruled out. He has not practice since undergoing shoulder surgery last season,

Fisher said that Thornton “took a big step” in rehab on Monday.

When asked about whether the veteran player will be ready for the season opener, fisher said, "I think he's making strides, but I can't predict."

The Titans are going to switch up their rookie returners Thursday, Marc Mariani will take the first half and Damian Williams will be in the second.

Williams coughed up a fumble in the first half agains Carolina.

Mariana returned four punts with an 8.3 yard average and eight kickoffs with a 27 yard average. Williams has returned four punts with a 7.3 yard average and three kick offs at 25.3.

The Titans are going to start a “12^th Titan” initiative for fans at the September 12 opener, with the weekly honoree raising a flag in the south end zone plaza before kickoff of every home game,

According to the Titans, the honoree will have some roots in Tennessee and possibly be a celebrity, civic leader, community hero, fan or former Titans player.