Titans fear Ringer could be lost

UPDATE: Ringer will have surgery and is expected to be lost for the season.

The Tennessee Titans were waiting for more news regarding the hand injury suffered by running back Javon Ringer, but the fear is the injury is season-ending, according to a league source.

While the Titans were waiting final medical test results regarding Ringer’s injury, the front office is weighing its options about what to do for a backup running back behind Chris Johnson and alongside rookie Jamie Harper.

One option is Herb Donaldson, who has spent the past two seasons on Tennessee’s practice squad. Donaldson could also help out on special teams if needed, as the Titans have been wracked by injuries there, with linebackers Gerald McRath and Patrick Bailey both being hurt. Bailey tweaked a hamstring in practice last week, and McRath suffered knee and ankle sprains in Sunday’s 22-17 loss to New Orleans.

The other option is a far bigger name, but one that has been out of the NFL all season – former Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins star Clinton Portis.

Portis has played in just 13 games the past two seasons for the Washington Redskins and tried out for the Titans’ emergency list earlier this season.

If the Titans decide they are OK with just two running backs, putting Ringer on IR would open up a spot for linebacker Kevin Malast, who has been signed off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad to Tennessee's 53-man roster.