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Posted at 10:53 a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Pro Bowl center says he won't play Saturday

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans got Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and end Kyle Vanden Bosch back on the practice field Tuesday. The availability of Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae against Baltimore depends on who is talking.

During an interview on Sirius NFL Radio before practice Tuesday, Mawae was asked if he would play Saturday in the AFC divisional playoff game.

"No, I'm not going to play this week," Mawae said before trying to soften that answer. "It's still questionable. We're day to day, and hopefully things progress to where I'll be able to play next week. But again, we're day to day right now."

Mawae, who earned his seventh Pro Bowl spot in his 15th season, hurt his right elbow on Dec. 21 and missed the regular-season finale in Indianapolis. He has not practiced since. Second-year lineman Leroy Harris started at center in the 23-0 loss to the Colts and has practiced at that spot.

Told of Mawae's comment after a practice Mawae watched, Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he still is hoping the veteran can play.

"He's day to day, and (we're) evaluating him throughout the week," Fisher said.

Fisher promised an official injury report Wednesday.

Mawae was not available in the locker room after practice. Neither was Vanden Bosch. Haynesworth worked through about half the session.

"I'll be hopefully full practice tomorrow," said Haynesworth, with his sweat shirt soaked from his shoulders almost down to his stomach.

"I'm just happy I get to practice and knock some of the rust off in practice. By doing that, I feel I can almost be back to where I was before I got hurt."