NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bengals fans may miss their chance to boo — or cheer — Carl Pickens on Sunday.

        The Titans (3-1) announced on Monday that the former Bengals receiver had a strained left hamstring. That leaves the team with just four healthy receivers on the roster as they prepare to visit Paul Brown Stadium Sunday.

        That could mean instead of two-time Pro Bowlers like Pickens or Yancey Thigpen or the talented starter Kevin Dyson, the Titans may be fielding Chris Sanders, Derrick Mason and rookies Bashir Yamini and Chris Coleman.

        Coach Jeff Fisher said the four definitely will get plenty of work at practice this week.

        “They'll all get reps and have a chance to play,” he said.

        The Titans lost tight end Michael Roan in the opener to a broken leg and torn ACL. Then Dyson tore his ACL in practice two weeks ago, and Thigpen hasn't been healthy yet this season. He finally started looking strong after ankle surgery in April only to strain his hamstring just before the Titans' bye in September.

        With Thigpen in street clothes on Sunday, the Titans then watched as Pickens pulled up at the sidelines, grabbing the back of his left leg. Sanders later was helped to the bench with a concussion.

        Tight end Frank Wycheck, who has led the team in receptions the past four seasons, sprained his right foot a week after his own concussion.

        The injuries forced the Titans to use a one receiver package at the end of Sunday's 28-14 victory over the New York Giants. But Tennessee won't be putting out a call for help. Fisher said the only likely move is adding a receiver or two to the practice squad where Coleman was called up from last week.

        So far, the Titans have been successful finding someone to catch passes.

        Erron Kinney, a third-round pick last April, had his best game yet against the Giants. The tight end who replaced Roan caught five passes for 60 yards and now is fourth on the team in receptions.

        Derrick Mason now has 11 catches for 174 yards in two games, including a career-high 103 yards receiving against New York. The Titans didn't need him as a receiver the first two games and let him focus on returning kickoffs and punts, and he has given Tennessee the second-best start to drives in the NFL.

        Eddie George called him the Titans' most valuable player right now.

        “He's setting us up in good field position in the return game, and he's making key plays to keep drives alive. He's another weapon now along with all the other ones we have.”

        The offense now ranks ninth in the NFL, their best ranking since Week 4 of last season and are fourth in the NFL for time of possession.

        They are the NFL's best at converting third downs. Their 50 percent average is thanks largely to converting 14-of-20 on Sunday to keep drives alive, including eight straight at one point.

        The defense isn't doing too badly, either. The Titans are ranked fifth overall after not cracking the top 10 all of last season.

        But Fisher expects much more from the AFC champions.

        “We're a field goal or a catch away from being 4-0. We're also the opposite away from being 2-2,” he said. “We've just got to keep sawing wood, playing hard and continue to get better.

        www.titansonline.com

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