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Titans’ backup ready to start in place of injured Warmack

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Tennessee Titans tackle Jamon Meredith smiled during the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Aug. 14. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. » Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Jamon Meredith has learned his place in the NFL, even if that spot can be very short-lived.

The Titans officially are Meredith’s sixth NFL team in seven years in the league, not counting stops with three other franchises. For most of that time, he has been a backup who fills in when and wherever needed. His next opportunity is Sunday when he is expected to start against the Colts (0-2) at right guard with Chance Warmack out with a sprained right MCL.

"If that’s your job, you’ve got to do it. That’s been my job my whole career. This is my seventh year in the league, and that’s how I’ve made it to this point," said Meredith, who joined the Titans late last year after being released by the Colts. "Everybody’s got their own niche. Some people are drafted high and get automatically get pushed into starting roles. I didn’t have it like that. I’m a get in where I fit in kind of guy."

The 6-foot-5 Meredith has played in 56 games with 27 starts in his seventh season for Buffalo, the New York Giants, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. Green Bay drafted him in the fifth round in 2009 out of South Carolina, and Meredith also has spent time with Detroit and Cincinnati. The Titans (1-1) signed Meredith last December and kept him as a lineman who can play both tackle and guard.

Meredith replaced Warmack when the starter was hurt in last week’s 28-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Asked if he has any extra motivation playing against the team that released him last year, Meredith dismissed the notion with a smile and a quip.

"I don’t really think of it as that," Meredith said. "A kind of guy like me, I’ve been on so many teams, that every team we play is a team I might have been on. I don’t have a personal vendetta like, ‘Oh, they cut me.’ I just want to go out there and keep Marcus (Mariota) clean and open up some running lanes."

Getting the start Sunday also meant an unusual amount of media attention for Meredith, who joked reporters had to find his locker first before talking with him Thursday.

"Every day I get passed by the media," Meredith said. "Now, y’all are talking to me now. It’s kind of weird."

When he wrapped up his media session, Meredith concluded by saying, "I’ll see y’all in two or three years."

Notes: Titans cornerback Jason McCourty, who had groin surgery Aug. 24, is questionable for Sunday after practicing fully Friday. … Warmack is one of three Titans players ruled out against the Colts. Defensive tackle Sammie Hill (right knee) and rookie cornerback Cody Riggs (knee) also are out. … Titans listed as probable include TE Delanie Walker (right wrist), LB Zach Brown (illness) and RB Antonio Andrews (hamstring) practiced fully Friday; S Marqueston Huff (hamstring). Linebacker Derrick Morgan (back injury) was limited and is probable.

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