NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans quarterback Vince Young insists he never wavered in his commitment to football.

All that concern over his mental state? He says he was upset as he dealt with his first serious injury, and he didn't realize he had to tell his mother where he was going anymore.

Then the media went overboard.

Young spoke publicly yesterday for the first time since Titans coach Jeff Fisher called police for help in locating the quarterback Monday night because of concerns over his emotional well-being. His mother, Felicia Young, also told a local newspaper that the quarterback had indicated he didn't want to play football anymore because of all the negativity he faced.

"I was never depressed," Young said.

He took questions from reporters for 16 minutes after watching his teammates practice. His message? Don't question his commitment.

"Football, this is my life. This is my dream. All I did all these years growing up to get to this point and never had an injury like this before in my life," he said. "It's a hard time because I'm a competitor, and I definitely want to be out on the football field with my teammates."

Questions about his mental state and attitude started Sunday when the third-year quarterback was booed heavily by fans upset at his second interception, and he appeared as if he didn't want to return to the game. Fisher pulled his headset off and talked to him before the quarterback joined the rest of the offense.

Four plays later, Young sprained his left medial collateral ligament when Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith crashed into his left knee.

Young didn't go to the Titans' headquarters Monday, and Fisher went to his quarterback's house. The Titans also sent a psychologist and another team official to talk with Young. He was described as being emotionally down. Young said yesterday that lasted half a day and he was upset over his two interceptions.

Fisher told Young to take the MRI exam needed to determine the extent of the damage to his knee. Young didn't go. But with so many people at his house, Young said, he needed space to think.

"Let the cloud go away for a minute, and that's what I did. I left. My mom seen me; she thought I wasn't in my right mind. At the same time, I was watching the game, watching Aaron Rodgers do his things ... eating some hot wings," Young said.

Meanwhile, Titans All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth missed a second straight practice because of a mild concussion.

Fisher said yesterday that Haynesworth is doing better.

"When you have the mild concussion symptoms, you have to not put him in any situations where he'd be involved in any collisions for a few days, so we're waiting. But he's been conditioning inside, and he should be fine," Fisher said.

NFL

UNION HIRES SEARCH FIRM TO FIND A NEW DIRECTOR

The NFL Players' Association plans to hire a national search firm, the first step in the process to select a new executive director after Gene Upshaw died last month.

The union sent out letters to each of its 32 NFL team player representatives this week seeking approval to hire a search firm, NFLPA spokesman Carl Francis said yesterday. Once approval is granted, the union's board will meet within the next few weeks to hire a firm to identify potential candidates.

Upshaw died of pancreatic cancer last month, leaving the union without an executive director while heading into a critical juncture.

The NFL has announced it will opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement. If no new deal is reached by spring, there's likely to be an uncapped year in 2010, the season before the contract is expected to expire.

Interim executive director Richard Berthelsen said the most likely timetable to select a new leader is to present a short list of candidates for election at the NFLPA's annual meeting in March. Berthelsen said the number of final candidates expected to be on the ballot has not yet been determined.

BILLS

RECEIVER PARRISH BACK AFTER RESTING SORE KNEE

Buffalo Bills receiver Roscoe Parrish returned to practice yesterday, and left tackle Jason Peters continued working with the starting unit, taking another step toward being ready to play at Jacksonville on Sunday.

Coach Dick Jauron said Peters looked good in practice, but added he'll likely wait until tomorrow before determining whether to add the player to the active roster. Peters took part in only his second full team practice since ending an offseason-long holdout last weekend.

Parrish returned after missing Wednesday's practice with sore ribs and a sore left knee.

CHARGERS

SPRAINED BIG TOE KEEPS TOMLINSON ON SIDELINE

LaDainian Tomlinson missed his second day of practice yesterday because of a sprained right big toe but said he'd be back today as the San Diego Chargers continue preparing for their game Sunday at Denver.

"I'm all right; I will practice tomorrow," Tomlinson said. "It's just a sprained toe, that's all. But you try and get as much rest as you can and you have to take it. It's the heat of the season — you don't really have time. It's not preseason any more. On Sunday, I think I should be pretty good."

JAGUARS

RECEIVER PORTER READY TO MAKE SEASON DEBUT

Receiver Jerry Porter is expected to make his Jacksonville debut Sunday, and it might come at a good time for the Jaguars.

Fellow receivers Dennis Northcutt (back) and Troy Williamson (thigh) missed practice yesterday, leaving the Jaguars with just three healthy receivers — Matt Jones, Reggie Williams and Mike Walker — heading into Sunday's home opener against Buffalo.

Porter, who signed a six-year, $30 million contract in February to be the team's No. 1 receiver, had surgery to repair a torn right hamstring in mid-July and missed all of training camp and the preseason. He has practiced without any setbacks the past two weeks.