News briefs: Titans sticking with Collins over Young

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The messages are flying on Facebook and Twitter. Fans are calling for change on talk radio. Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher isn't budging.

Fisher is sticking with veteran Kerry Collins at quarterback rather than switch to Vince Young, looking for a spark as he did in 2006 when the Titans also were winless. Fisher said Monday the difference now is the Titans won 13 games with Collins in 2008, while they hadn't won a game with Young when the switch was made in 2006.

"Kerry's not the problem," Fisher said. "Kerry's making plays and putting the ball where it needs to be put. I'm not pleased with the interceptions, but other than that going back over the last few weeks, Kerry's made some great throws. We just need to play better around him."

Young started only once in 2008 after losing his starting job to Collins, and that was in a meaningless regular-season finale in Indianapolis. Fisher repeatedly has called Young the franchise's starter of the future, and fans have been vocal in asking when that time arrives.

That time isn't now, not with Fisher focusing on trying to win a game. He insists Collins is their best chance to do that.

The Titans' four losses are to AFC teams with Indianapolis (4-0) up next Sunday night in a nationally televised game. Fisher said the staff is looking at everything after a 37-17 loss in Jacksonville on Sunday. Full story

Rams QB Bulger does light throwing

ST. LOUIS -- One thing St. Louis does not have is a quarterback controversy. The Rams have been shut out twice -- once with Marc Bulger taking the snaps and again on Sunday with Kyle Boller getting the start. The winless Rams (0-4) have been outscored 108-24 and are making far too many mistakes under a rookie coach that has stressed fundamentals from Day 1, committing three turnovers that produced touchdowns for the 49ers in a 35-0 whitewash Sunday.

Bulger did some light throwing Monday, testing a bruised rotator cuff, and Spagnuolo said he'd probably be questionable for this week's game against the Vikings.

"That's a long way away from a week ago when he couldn't really throw at all, but that's a tough call," Spagnuolo said. "I think we'll rest it and see what he can do on Wednesday."

Boller made his first start since December 2007 and was ineffective, going 13 of 24 for 108 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown while leading an offense that produced only 177 yards. Boller said he was trying too hard to make a play when he made an ill-advised throw on the run that Patrick Willis returned 23 yards for a score that put the 49ers ahead 21-0 in the third quarter.

Ravens hope T Gaither can play after injury scare

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore offensive tackle Jared Gaither could play this Sunday against Cincinnati, depending on the result of an MRI.

Coach John Harbaugh says the Ravens are "very hopeful" Gaither can play this week. Harbaugh points out though that it could be two weeks or more before Gaither returns.

Gaither was injured Sunday in Baltimore's 27-21 loss to New England. While blocking defensive end Jarvis Green, Gaither was struck by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who was sprawling backward after being shoved by defensive end Ty Warren.

The 6-9, 340-pound Gaither lay motionless for about 10 minutes and was taken off the field on a stretcher, but he had motion in both legs and arms.

Texans have no more confirmed case of swine flu

HOUSTON -- Only one of three Texans ill this weekend was suffering from flu-like symptoms, and the team doctor didn't call it swine flu.

Houston had the NFL's first confirmed case of swine flu last week in tight end Anthony Hill. Safety Eugene Wilson was inactive for Sunday's game against Oakland after becoming so ill he could barely walk.

Dr. Jim Muntz said he isn't sure Wilson "had the same syndrome" as Hill. Wilson had body aches, but no fever and was sent home to protect the team. Muntz said Wilson phoned him Sunday night and felt better.

Running back Chris Brown and linebacker Xavier Adibi were also ill Sunday, but Muntz said they had gastrointestinal problems.

Bucs release kicker Nugent

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Buccaneers cut kicker Mike Nugent a day after he missed two field goals in a 16-13 loss to the Redskins.

Nugent missed kicks of 49 and 48 yards Sunday and was 2 of 6 on field-goal attempts through four games.

The Bucs worked out former Indianapolis kicker Shane Andrus and signed him as Nugent's replacement on Monday.

The 2005 second-round draft pick signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent in March after spending the first four seasons of his career with the New York Jets. After going 0 for 4 on his first four attempts for the Bucs, the fifth-year pro made kicks of 37 and 22 yards against the Redskins.

Pace rejoins Jets after serving four-game suspension

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Calvin Pace has rejoined the Jets after completing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The linebacker, who participated in training camp and preseason games, was suspended in July without pay for testing positive for a banned substance. After he was alerted at the end of last season of the test result, Pace sent in the supplements he took to the league, but lost his appeal.

Pace hasn't specified what he took, only saying it was "something that you can get at any GNC."

His pass-rushing presence will add to a defense that has been outstanding even without him. The Jets rank fifth in overall defense and have allowed just three offensive touchdowns.

Police send findings to DA in Cable assault case

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Napa police have finished their investigation into allegations that Raiders coach Tom Cable assaulted one of his assistants and forwarded the case to county prosecutors.

Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein said in a recorded message left on his media line that his office is reviewing the report.

Raiders defensive assistant Randy Hanson was hospitalized with a broken bone in his face following the Aug. 5 attack that he told police was initiated by a member of the Raiders coaching staff at the team's training camp hotel in Napa.

Hanson initially did not tell police who his assailant was. His attorney, John McGuinn, told NFL.com last week that Hanson told police that Cable was the coach who attacked him. McGuinn did not return a call seeking comment.