VIKINGS AT TENNESSEE
7 p.m. Saturday, LP Field
TV: Ch. 11. Radio: 1130-AM, 100.3-FM
ABOUT THE VIKINGS
Don't blink or you'll miss it. Quarterback Donovan McNabb and the other starters are supposed to play a series or two before giving way to the backups. Coach Leslie Frazier plans to play Joe Webb, Christian Ponder and Rhett Bomar in that order after McNabb makes his early exit. ... It wouldn't be surprising if Ponder is the second QB off the bench when the Vikings play at Seattle a week from Saturday. ... Keep a close eye on No. 74. Charlie Johnson is the guy who has replaced Bryant McKinnie at left tackle, and Johnson struggled repeatedly in pass protection during practices in Mankato. ... Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring), guard Anthony Herrera (knee/triceps), linebacker Kenny Onatolu (foot) and cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) are expected to be held out. Griffin, who tore his right ACL last October, is expected to play in his first preseason game Aug. 20 at Seattle. ... This will be the fifth preseason meeting between the Vikings and this franchise, which got its start as the Houston Oilers. The Vikings are 4-0 against the Titans in the preseason.
ABOUT THE TITANS
The Titans and Vikings both finished 6-10 last season, and both teams have new coaches. While Frazier has replaced Brad Childress, Mike Munchak has taken over for longtime Titans/Oilers coach Jeff Fisher, who began his tenure in 1994. Munchak is entering his 30th season with this franchise and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ... Quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck, signed as a free agent from Seattle, and Jake Locker, the Titans' first-round pick (eighth overall), should both see playing time. ... Chris Johnson , one of the NFL's top running backs, continues to hold out as he waits for the Titans to improve a contract that calls for him to make $800,000 this season. Johnson finished fourth in the NFL last season with 1,364 yards rushing. .... Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (shoulder) and punter Chad Cunningham (leg) will not play. It's also expected that wide receiver Kenny Britt (hamstring), and safeties Robert Johnson (hamstring) and Nick Schommer (hamstring) will sit out.
