NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans have won three straight and are tied for the AFC's best start.
With the exception of a stumbling loss to open the season, it's the kind of start new coach Mike Munchak expected.
Munchak said Monday the Titans have positioned themselves back into the mix with their goal of winning the AFC South.
He said the Titans are back on track and excited by the prospect.
Few outside of Tennessee's headquarters expected much from this team with the franchise starting over this season with a new coach, new coordinators and two new quarterbacks along with the NFL lockout for good measure.
Now the Titans are 3-1, and even Chris Johnson finally is getting going with his first 100-yard rushing game after his contract holdout.
Munchak said safety Chris Hope will need surgery on his broken left forearm and likely will be out four to six weeks.
Hope was hurt early in the Titans' win at Cleveland on Sunday, and that was his first start after missing two games with a shoulder he dislocated in the season opener.
Jordan Babineaux replaced Hope and picked off a pass he returned 97 yards for a touchdown.
Munchak said Monday that Hope will have surgery this week. A 10-year veteran, Hope is in the final year of his contract and earning $6.5 million.
Tight end Craig Stevens likely will be limited with a rib injury, and starting left guard Leroy Harris will be limited after getting a knee and ankle caught up in a pile.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
