AP

Titans quarterback Jake Locker is steadily moving toward rejoining the team’s lineup.

Locker returned to practice on Wednesday and coach Mike Munchak said Thursday that the quarterback has been cleared for contact. That’s a necessary step for Locker to take before he’s going to be inserted back into the offense.

Munchak isn’t willing to say that Locker’s return won’t come this weekend. Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that the coach said Locker did more team drills on Thursday than he did the previous day and that the quarterback looked better on Thursday as well, leading Munchak to resist ruling him out for Week Seven. For his part, Locker said he’s preparing as if he’s starting the game and that his right hip and knee are both feeling good.

Friday will bring a definitive answer as to Locker’s status for Sunday’s game against the 49ers, but the limited practice time after a long layoff still points toward a return after the bye in Week Eight.