NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans are still holding out hope to have DeMarco Murray in a limited role Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. An MRI on Murray's injured right knee revealed that he has a third-degree MCL tear, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Murray said he believes he can play through it on Sunday.
Murray's sprained knee is more about pain tolerance than general effectiveness, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said.
"I'm not going to rule him out just yet," Mularkey said. "He's day-to-day right now. We hope for the best."
It will be an uphill challenge for Murray to play, even in a limited role, but Mularkey cited the veteran running back's toughness as a reason to believe he could surprise and suit up.
"He's a different guy when it comes to coming back from injuries," Mularkey said.
It will be a lot more work for Derrick Henry, who will get his first opportunity of the season to be the Titans' lead back. He had one of his best games of the season rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown when Tennessee won 37-16 at Jacksonville in Week 2.
Henry has actually been the Titans' most effective back, leading the team with 693 rushing yards and a 4.7 yards per carry average. Murray, with 36 more carries, has 659 rushing yards and a 3.6 yards per carry average.
If Murray is unable to play, third-string running back David Fluellen would have a bigger role in the passing game. The Titans say Henry is much improved as a receiver and pass protector, but they used Fluellen in some of Murray's passing game roles after the veteran back got injured in the fourth quarter Sunday.
The Titans are hopeful to get top cornerback Logan Ryan back on the practice field toward the end of this week. He missed Sunday's loss to the Rams with an ankle injury.