NASHVILLE, Tenn. » The Tennessee Titans don’t feel like they took a chance claiming Randy Moss off the waiver wire.

They think they got lucky and hit the lottery.

The Titans are confident the move will translate into wins — maybe even the missing piece that could deliver owner Bud Adams and coach Jeff Fisher their first Super Bowl.

Fisher, the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, is known as a player’s coach who holds his guys accountable. The Titans (5-3) are winning with a strong locker room hungry for the franchise’s first postseason win since January 2004, which should keep Moss focused for their eight-game playoff push.

All reasons why, though no one else in the NFL wanted the 13-year veteran, the Titans feel Moss now is on the right team at the right time.

"This is a great opportunity for him," Fisher. "It’s a fresh start. We’ve got a great locker room. They’ll accept him. I’m confident he’ll accept his new teammates as well."

Fisher himself is the biggest reason this can work.

He has dealt with egos — "Pacman" Jones, Albert Haynesworth and LenDale White — coaxing out big punt returns, interceptions, sacks and touchdowns before those players wore out their welcome in Tennessee. The Titans eventually traded away Jones and White, and let Haynesworth walk via free agency.

Now in his 16th full season, Fisher also has enough clout to make personnel decisions as he sees fit. Fisher is a former player with a good feel when to practice longer or turn a session into a walkthrough, which his players notice.

Not that the Titans are expecting any issues.

They did their homework on Moss, including talking to backup quarterback Kerry Collins. Moss and Collins were teammates for a year in Oakland, and Collins calls him a great teammate. Fisher also talked to Moss himself and said the receiver is excited to come to Tennessee.

"We think that he can help us, and I’m looking forward to seeing him run under those deep balls," Fisher said.

Jackson to try new helmet

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is wearing a new helmet, made by Schutt, that is designed to prevent concussions.

Jackson suffered his second concussion in as many seasons when he took a vicious hit from Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson on Oct. 17. Robinson was fined $50,000 for delivering the blow, and Jackson missed the Eagles’ loss at Tennessee on Oct. 24.

Jackson remains optimistic about returning Sunday against Indianapolis, and has been a full participant in practice the last two days. But a final determination about his status has not yet been made.

Gates hurt; Bolts add WR

The San Diego Chargers, who might be without star tight end Antonio Gates on Sunday at Houston due to a foot injury, signed wide receiver Kelley Washington.

Washington was signed two days after wide receiver Craig "Buster" Davis was placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury, meaning his season is over. The Chargers also have been without wide receivers Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd due to hamstring injuries.

Gates has plantar fascia as well as turf toe. The Chargers didn’t list the plantar fascia on Wednesday’s injury report, the first of the week. A spokesman says it was an "oversight."

Gates didn’t practice again yesterday.

Wells slowed by allergy

An allergic reaction to a medication injected into his knee has limited Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells in practice this week.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wells had a rare allergic response when he received a shot of Orthovisc into his right knee. The knee immediately swelled up and was still somewhat swollen yesterday.

Whisenhunt said Wells improved yesterday but needs to do more in today’s practice for the coach to feel comfortable playing Wells on Sunday at Minnesota.

Seattle’s Hasselbeck out

If the New York Giants are going to add to their knockout list of quarterbacks, it won’t be Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck, the Seahawks’ starting QB, is out for Sunday’s game against New York with a concussion. Seattle coach Pete Carroll made the announcement yesterday that Hasselbeck had not been cleared to play. Charlie Whitehurst will make the first start of his career.

Raiders to start Campbell

Coach Tom Cable says Jason Campbell will make his fourth straight start at quarterback this week for the Oakland Raiders.

Cable said yesterday that Bruce Gradkowski is still not fully recovered from a separated right shoulder. Campbell has led Oakland to wins the past two weeks, helping the Raiders put together consecutive 500-yard offensive performances for the first time in franchise history.

Saints’ Bush practices

Reggie Bush was limited during Saints practice yesterday, raising his prospects for getting back in the lineup for the first time since breaking a bone in his lower right leg in the second game of the season.

"It felt pretty good — still a little bit of pain there but nothing that I couldn’t handle. Nothing that wasn’t expected," Bush said. "We’ll just keep pushing every day and see what happens at the end of this week."

Head coach Sean Payton stopped short of saying he thought Bush would be ready to go by this Sunday’s game at Carolina.

Colts may lose Session

A broken arm and a dislocated elbow couldn’t prevent Indianapolis linebacker Clint Session from finishing the Colts’ game Monday night against Houston.

The injuries might, however, end his season.

Session’s agent, Harold Lewis, could only confirm the injuries to Session’s right arm. He later said that Session hoped to be playing Sunday at Philadelphia.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell has provided no update on Session’s status this week.

Bills expecting Merriman

Coach Chan Gailey and the winless Buffalo Bills will have to wait a little longer before formally welcoming newly acquired outside linebacker Shawne Merriman.

And it’ll be at least another week before the one-time feared pass-rusher will have a chance to make his debut.

A day after acquiring Merriman off waivers, Gailey announced after practice yesterday that the player is tentatively scheduled to report to the team today. Gailey also ruled out the player from playing in Buffalo’s game against Chicago at Toronto on Sunday.