Rookie quarterback Vince Young will make his first NFL start for the Tennessee Titans today against the Dallas Cowboys.

The first quarterback taken in this year's draft at No. 3 overall, Young had spot duty in the Titans' first two games. But the winless Titans are 0-3 and hoping the quarterback who led Texas to the national title in January can provide a spark to their offense.

The Titans said they chose Young over Matt Leinart or local favorite Jay Cutler in the draft because of his potential. Coach Jeff Fisher promised he wouldn't start Young until the rookie was ready, and Fisher said Monday that veteran Kerry Collins would start against Dallas (1-1).

But Collins, who was not signed until Aug. 29, has struggled to pick up the offense. Collins has been intercepted six times with only one touchdown and a passer rating of 42.3 — less than Young's 58.8 rating in spot duty.

Young left Texas after his junior season and a brilliant performance in the Rose Bowl against Southern California. The 6-foot-5 Young made attending all of training camp a priority, and he agreed to terms on a contract the day the Titans reported for camp in July.

The quarterback who went 30-2 at Texas doesn't believe starting a rookie quarterback is a sign a team is giving up on a season. He often has cited Ben Roethlisberger, who set a record by winning his first 12 starts as a rookie, as an example he'd like to follow.

"If you think like that, it will be like that," Young said. "But if you have confidence that this rookie guy is going to come in and make plays like Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler or any of those guys, if you believe in those guys, you can win ball games."

Young is 10 of 23 for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He played one series in the Titans' opener, and he played one series in the first half and the entire fourth quarter in a 40-7 loss at San Diego.

The Titans did as much as possible since the Miami loss to prep Young for his debut. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow said Young has made tremendous strides because he is very determined to be a great player.

"He studies, he works and he's disciplined. He has great leadership skills. He's determined, and because of that, the work ethic comes along with it. If you're willing to work at it like he is, you continue to get better," Chow said.

EAGLES

SHEPPARD PRACTICES

Philadelphia cornerback Lito Sheppard returned to practice yesterday for the first time since injuring his ankle during the Eagles' season opener.

Sheppard, who has missed the last two games, is listed as doubtful for tomorrow night's game against Green Bay, but said he hopes he can return to face the Packers.

"It felt good," Sheppard said. "We're just taking it day by day."

Cornerback Rod Hood (heel), who has been starting in place of Sheppard, missed practice and could also miss tomorrow night's game. If neither Sheppard nor Hood can play, Joselio Hanson would likely start opposite Sheldon Brown.

Running back Brian Westbrook practiced for the first time this week and is expected to play, but jogged off the field midway through practice to begin treatment on his injured knee.

SEAHAWKS

KACYVENSKI CUT

Seattle cut special teams captain Isaiah Kacyvenski yesterday to add depth at running back while league MVP Shaun Alexander rehabs his broken foot.

Seattle needed a running back behind fill-in starter Maurice Morris for its game at fellow unbeaten Chicago tonight. So the Seahawks added practice-squad member Marquis Weeks, who impressed them in their exhibition finale, to their 53-man roster.

BROWNS

BAXTER STILL HEALING

Cleveland cornerback Gary Baxter most likely will miss his second straight game because of an injured chest muscle when Cleveland plays the Oakland Raiders today.

Baxter sat out last week's game against Baltimore, his former team, to rest a left pectoral muscle he strained during preseason. His chest is better, but Baxter said he'd rather wait another week than risk making it worse.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

EAST W L T PCT PF PA

NEW ENGLAND 2 1 0 .667 50 51

N.Y. JETS 2 1 0 .667 68 60

BUFFALO 1 2 0 .333 53 53

MIAMI 1 2 0 .333 36 54

SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA

INDIANAPOLIS 3 0 0 1.000 90 59

JACKSONVILLE 2 1 0 .667 47 38

HOUSTON 0 3 0 .000 49 98

TENNESSEE 0 3 0 .000 33 76

NORTH W L T PCT PF PA

BALTIMORE 3 0 0 1.000 70 20

CINCINNATI 3 0 0 1.000 85 47