For Williams, missing playoffs, broken ankle hurt about same

‘I kind of feel like I let the team down and everything. It’s nothing really I can do at this point but try to get better and work hard doing rehab and get ready for next season,’ Williams said.

Williams, who had been tied with Justin Gage for the team lead with 55 catches, said the disappointment at not playing in San Diego was about even with the physical pain of recovering from surgery to repair a crack at the bottom of his tibia.

‘I was real excited about that. But what can you do,’ he said.

Williams broke the bone coming out of his break during a passing drill Wednesday.

‘I just heard a loud pop … I kind of knew because during college I kind of did the same thing to my left ankle, and I heard a pop and everything. Once I heard the pop, I was wishing I didn’t break anything,’ he said.

Williams was able to walk off the indoor practice field by himself. X-rays showed the extent of the injury late Wednesday, and he had surgery to attach a plate and screws Thursday. He said he will need up to eight weeks for the bone to heal but can move his ankle once the stitches are removed.

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SLOPPY FIELD?: The Titans are keeping an eye on the weather forecast for Sunday in San Diego, especially with a storm dumping inches of rain on California. But the forecast took a turn for the better with only a 30 percent chance of showers Sunday.

That would help the Titans’ pass rush. Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch pointed to the Kansas City game when they had a hard time rushing the passer on frozen ground.

‘The playing surface just wasn’t going to let us get there. We couldn’t corner. We couldn’t get our cleats into the ground,’ he said.

The Titans sacked Philip Rivers five times in the Chargers 23-17 overtime win in Nashville on Dec. 9. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said the key will adjusting the shoes.

‘Wear cleats or seven studs. I mean you can’t get too reckless with it. You can be wild and stuff. You definitely have to be in control,’ he said of rushing the quarterback.

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LOST YARDAGE: The Tennessee Titans managed to set a franchise record in 2006 ‘ fewest yards lost to penalties in a 16-game season. They were flagged for 773 yards, nine fewer than in 1984 and 1991. They came on 101 penalties, tied for seventh fewest in a 16-game season.

Coach Jeff Fisher said penalties are always a key focus.

‘Fortunately the last couple of years, (the numbers) have come down. We were consistent at right around 110 for three, four or five years. The numbers are still up a little bit, but the types of penalties were better than years past,’ he said.

Penalties that come from playing hard doesn’t bother Fisher.

‘It’s the ones that have nothing to do with the play that are a concern. With the exception of the defensive line, those numbers were down. When you put pressure on the passer, on occasion there’s going to be a defensive offsides. It’s a trade off,’ he said.