Titans committed to get run game going again

The Tennessee Titans are committed to running the ball as the center of coach

Mike Mularkey's "exotic smash mouth" approach to offense.

Coming off the worst rushing performance in two seasons makes them only more determined to run even better.

The Titans ran for just 52 yards in a 40-17 loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 16, a total that was the worst since Mularkey was given the head coaching job for good in January 2016.

That helped drop Tennessee to 12th in the NFL averaging 117.5 yards rushing, a big change from last season when the Titans led the AFC and ranked third in the league.

The Titans ran so well in 2016 that left tackle

Taylor Lewan and former OU star running back DeMarco

Murray both earned Pro Bowl berths. Right tackle

Jack Conklin was an All-Pro as a rookie.

This season, Murray has just 443 yards on 117 carries and is averaging 3.8 yards per run. Backup

Derrick Henry has nearly as many yards (441) on fewer carries (101). The Titans also have used cornerback

Adoree Jackson, giving the rookie the ball five times for 55 yards.

Bears place LB Floyd on injured reserve

Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was placed on injured reserve Thursday by the Chicago Bears, ending his season because of a knee injury.

Floyd suffered a right knee injury Sunday in a 27-24 loss at Soldier Field to the Detroit Lions. He was attempting to make a tackle on a running play and collided with teammate Kyle Fuller.

Bears coach John Fox on Thursday said Floyd suffered medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligament damage, but did not tear the anterior cruciate ligament.

Jets' Forte uncertain vs. Panthers

New York Jets running back Matt Forte remained sidelined Wednesday with an ailing knee and is uncertain to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Forte, who turns 32 on Dec. 10, missed the Jets' last game at Tampa Bay on Nov. 12 with swelling in his surgically repaired right knee.

Forte ran for a seasonbest 77 yards against Buffalo on Nov. 2, but recently said he has been dealing with swelling in the knee for "a while" and it worsened. He added that his season-high 14 carries in the win over the Bills didn't exacerbate the situation.

Former OU stars Williams, Shepard inactive Thursday

Pro Bowl left tackle and former OU standout Trent Williams was inactive for the Washington Redskins’ Thursday night game against the New York Giants because of an injured right knee.