Titans' punter Hentrich could retire; Johnson in walking boot

Veteran punter Craig Hentrich could be headed toward retirement after 15 NFL seasons, the final 11 with the Tennessee Titans.

"It's a decision I'm going to have to talk to my family about and make," Hentrich said. "The last third of the season, I was really struggling physically and felt worn down. If I do decide to come back, I'll have to dedicate myself this offseason to getting in the best shape of my life and I've got a few months to decide if I want to do that."

Hentrich and defensive end Jevon Kearse, who returned this season, are the last remaining links to the Titans' Super Bowl team in 1999.

"I think Craig is going to have to make a decision, and we'll give him some time. He's had a great career. The little subtle injury things are starting to catch up with him, and we'll take some time on that decision," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

Hentrich has been plagued by back problems in the latter part of his career, including surgery last offseason.

Hentrich's locker at Baptist Sports Park had been completely cleaned out on Monday. His contract expired at the end of the season.

"I don't have a contract right now so that's another thing I would have to take care of if I wanted to come back," Hentrich said.

Asked if he would consider playing for any other team than the Titans, Hentrich said, "No way. I would never play with anyone else."

He averaged 42.8 yards per punt this season on 87 kicks, matching the average for his NFL career of 42.8 yards.

Hentrich, 37, was selected to two Pro Bowls during his time with the Titans.

JOHNSON IN BOOT: Running back Chris Johnson, who suffered a second-quarter ankle injury in Saturday’s divisional playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, was wearing a boot during a brief appearance in the locker room during Monday’s team wrap-up.

Johnson did not return to Saturday’s game in the second half, and Fisher said Monday that Johnson likely was suffering from a high ankle sprain and would have been doubtful for the AFC Championship Game had the Titans won, and might not be able to play in the Pro Bowl on Feb. 8 either.

“There were some questions and concerns as to whether he made an attempt to come back into the ballgame, and we made every attempt to get him back in the ballgame. We’re sending him out for an MRI today. He has the components of a high ankle sprain,” Fisher said. “He’ll remain in the boot. I can’t say whether or not he’ll be back for the Pro Bowl or not. Had we won the ballgame, he probably would have been listed as doubtful for this week.”

Johnson rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown and also caught a 28-yard pass from Kerry Collins before leaving the game with the injury.

SCHWARTZ INTERVIEW: Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz told the media in Detroit that he likes a challenge, and would be ready to accept the massive undertaking of reviving the winless Lions, if hired as head coach.

Schwartz had his second interview with the Lions, this time going to Detroit and meeting with owner William Clay Ford.

“No. 1, I don’t shy away from a challenge and I think that it’s important in the NFL to have that kind of attitude on a yearly basis,” Schwartz said. “Where we were in Tennessee last year was not where we were a few years ago and one of the best feelings in sports is turning something around. Obviously, the system in the NFL affords us the capability of turning something around.”

Schwartz said he hoped to impress upon the Lions’ brass and fans that he is devoted to football and committed to the profession.

“The thing that I probably want to come across the most is what I talked about with the Detroit fans. I’m passionate about football,” he said. “I chose to make this my profession. I had other opportunities I could have gone to coming out of Georgetown (with a degree in Economics). But for me to work 100 hours a week – I don’t have a very good work ethic. I do that because I love it and I’d like that to come across today.”

Other finalists the Lions are reportedly looking at include Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

HAYNESWORTH UPDATE: While much of the attention is focused on the unsettled quarterback situation, the Titans also have the priority of trying to keep Albert Haynesworth from departing in free agency.

Fisher said Monday that re-signing Haynesworth is a priority for the Titans this offseason.

“Albert is going to be a priority of ours. He’s certainly expressed in staying, and we have every interest in trying to get something worked out,” Fisher said. “It’ll be a priority of ours. We’re less than 48 hours from the game, so we have some work to do.”

Haynesworth was not available for comment Monday, but said after Saturday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens that he would be in wait-and-see mode about the contract situation.

SURGERY: Center Kevin Mawae will undergo surgery to repair a partially torn triceps tendon in his right elbow. Mawae would have postponed surgery until after the Super Bowl had the Titans advanced that far. The 37-year-old center has never played in the Super Bowl in his career.

“Our hope with Kevin, had we been successful and continued winning, was to keep Kevin up and keep him on the active roster, and I committed to Kevin that if it was at all possible to keep him up, so he would have the opportunity to play at least one play in the Super Bowl,” Fisher said.

Also, defensive end Dave Ball will have surgery on his back to repair a disc problem, something he confirmed last week.