By Terry McCormick, Correspondent

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher could be losing patience with the recovery process involving wide receiver Roydell Williams.

Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher intimated as much in his Saturday news conference following Friday’s 17-3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Williams made his preseason debut but played only a few plays against the Falcons and none in the second half.

“I think a lot will have to do with how he comes along this week,” Fisher said. “He’s had his share of issues and injuries, and we’ll see, if in our opinion, he can put this behind him and stay healthy and be productive. He certainly knows what to do, and he’s done it before. Then things will be OK, but a lot is riding on this week.”

Williams said after the game he was in the trainers’ room at halftime and his ankle was “all right.”

“It’s just tough on turf. I had like six plays,” he said. “The goal was for me to play a quarter, and that’s what I did. I played a quarter.”

Williams tied Justin Gage for the team lead in receptions last year with 55 but broke his right ankle while practicing for the Titans’ wild-card playoff game in January. The injury required the insertion of a plate and screws and still causes him to limp at times because of the pain.

Fisher said he knows Williams, if healthy, could help a wide receiver group that desperately needs consistency.

“Roydell has done it before. We’ve seen it. It’s a matter of his ankle and getting him well enough to play,” Fisher said.

Fisher declined to say if Williams might be placed on injured reserve. He is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season.

More receiver issues

Drops continue to be an issue for the Titans receivers, as starters Gage and Justin McCareins failed to hold on to passes from Vince Young against Atlanta. Several younger receivers have been plagued by that problem throughout preseason.

“Some of the younger guys were involved in some inconsistent play last week,” Fisher said. “We had a couple of drops by our two starters. That happens. You have drops in the regular season. You don’t like to have them, but it happens. It’s magnified when you’re not scoring points.

The Titans’ first-team offense still has yet to score a touchdown in three preseason games..

“It is preseason. There’s no panic here. The players are not concerned,” Fisher said. “They have confidence in themselves and their abilities and in each other. We’re taking advantage of the little time we have let to get ready for the opener.”

Bironas update

Fisher indicated that kicker Rob Bironas would be evaluated carefully this week regarding his groin injury.

“He’s kicking, but the last thing we can afford to do right now is have him go out there and have a setback,” Fisher said. “So what we’re focusing on right now is having him ready for the opener. If that means he can kick this week, fine. If not, we’ll direct our attention to Jacksonville.”

Fisher said he has no concerns that Bironas has not kicked at all this preseason or that it would bother him in the regular season if he had no preseason work.

“Rob has done it before. All we’ve got to do is get the injury behind him,” Fisher said.

Other injuries

Fisher indicated that linebacker Jorge Cordova, who suffered a hamstring injury Friday night, might not be able to play Thursday at Green Bay.

Fisher said several players held out of Friday’s game should return this week, including defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) and running back LenDale White (ribs).

E-mail Terry McCormick at sports@timesfreepress.com

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