The Tennessee Titans expect rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger to play this week despite a sore shoulder.

“A lot of it is going to be determined on how much he can throw and how it bothers him,” Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt. “There is obviously going to be some soreness with it and that’s a big part of it.”

Mettenberger got hurt when he was sacked by Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

“You don’t want a guy leading the team that’s soft or not physically or mentally tough,” Mettenberger said. “I know what I am. I think the guys on this team know that I’m a tough guy. For me, really, it’s just getting out there and getting as healthy as I can and putting us in a situation to win games. That’s all it is.”

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun