Jim Wyatt

jwyatt@tennessean.com

Charlie Whitehurst hasn%27t started a game since 2011 with the Seahawks.

Jake Locker missed practice on Wednesday with a strained right wrist.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he was confident Whitehurst could handle a start against the Colts on Sunday.

Titans backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2011.

In nine seasons, he has four starts and 84 completions.

With Jake Locker recovering from a strained right wrist, however, the Titans could very well start the veteran with the flowing mane and the nickname "Clipboard Jesus."

Whitehurst doesn't care for the moniker, of course. And coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't care for the suggestion that Whitehurst's lack of playing time means the Titans would have no prayer.

"I know that we talk about regular-season games being different than preseason games, and they are from a standpoint of intensity," said Whisenhunt, who coached Whitehurst with the Chargers last season. "I've been through eight preseason games with him, so I feel like I've seen him play in a game. I've seen him go in and perform well, so I don't really have a question as far as what it would be like Sunday with Charlie."

The Titans (1-2) could very well be without Locker when they face the Colts (1-2) on Sunday in Indianapolis (noon, WTVF-5, 104.5-FM). The fourth-year pro missed Wednesday's practice because of the wrist strain he sustained during last Sunday's loss to the Bengals.

Locker was on the field Wednesday, but in a baseball cap. As he talked with reporters after practice, he barely moved his swollen-looking right hand.

"It was something I felt a little bit during the game, and then when the adrenaline stopped, it started hurting a little more," said Locker, who has missed 14 of a potential 35 starts the past three seasons because of injuries. "I'm just working as hard as I can to get back as soon as possible. It's always frustrating, but it is part of this game and you have to work through it."

If the Titans sit Locker, Whitehurst would start against the Colts, backed up by rookie Zach Mettenberger.

Whitehurst saw action for the Chargers last season — when Whisenhunt was their offensive coordinator — but did not throw a pass.

He hasn't seen significant playing time since 2011 with the Seahawks — two starts, 27-of-56 passing for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Whitehurst said he's preparing to play, like he always does.

"I would love to go out there and play. That is what you do it for," he said. "There's 53 guys out here and only so many starters, but that's what you play the game for, to go out there and play. A long time ago I did it a lot."

The Titans might be wise to give Locker some time to heal. He's slumped since an impressive opener against the Chiefs. Against the Bengals he was 17-of-34 for 185 yards with two interceptions and a 41.9 passer rating.

Wide receiver Nate Washington said no matter who is behind center, the Titans need to focus and improve.

"I am confident in all the quarterbacks on our roster, I think they all have an amazing ability to throw the ball. It will be up to the coaches as to what happens on Sunday as to who is in there. But we can't worry about that," Washington said. "Jake is a tough guy, he is a competitor, he is strong willed. He's a guy that is not going to leave his teammates out there if he can go. I am pretty sure if he has the choice to make on his own, he'll say no question he can go."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.

CHARLIE WHITEHURST

Age: 32

College: Clemson

Drafted: Third-round pick of Chargers in 2006

NFL teams: Chargers (2006-09, 2012-13), Seahawks (2010-11), Titans (2014)

Games: 13

Starts: 4 (1-3 record)

Passing: 84-of-155 (54.2 percent), 3 TD, 4 INT, 64.6 passer rating

NEXT GAME

TITANS (1-2) AT COLTS (1-2)

When: Noon Sunday

TV/radio: WTVF-5/104.5-FM