Titans’ Mauck could be in line for first NFL start

The third-string quarterback took McNair’s work with the first-team offense Thursday for a second straight day ahead of No. 2 quarterback Billy Volek, who struggled last week coming off the bench for McNair in Miami.

McNair left that game because of a strained right pectoral muscle suffered in pre-game warmups, and he said the muscle remains sore. He’s been busy trying to stretch out the muscle and receiving treatment from morning to night.

“It’s the same. I haven’t tried to do any throwing. … Overall, it’s sore. I at least have to try to do something to see how I feel in the next day or two,” McNair said.

McNair said he wants to play against the Jaguars to finish what he started this season. He missed one start at Arizona on Oct. 23 when he was left home to rest a sore back, and he is 227 yards passing short of his career-best 3,387 yards set in 2002.

But he has watched Mauck since the Titans signed the former LSU quarterback to the practice squad on Sept. 5. Mauck was promoted to the active roster on Sept. 28 and played in one game when Volek was knocked out of the Arizona game. He was 8-of-13 for 71 yards in the loss.

“I think Matt is well prepared,” McNair said. “He’s a guy that studies hard. He knows the game, and I think whatever decision is made, he’ll be ready.”