THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans backup quarterback Vince Young was sidelined for practice again Thursday because of an infected right thumb, while starting cornerbacks Nick Harper and Cortland Finnegan also sat out for a second straight day.

Coach Jeff Fisher said Harper (ankle) and Finnegan (hamstring) each had a chance to practice Friday. Harper missed two games with an injured foot before starting in the 47-10 win at Detroit. Finnegan is tied for second in the NFL with five interceptions.

Young took antibiotics for an infection near the cuticle on his thumb after the Detroit game, but the infection spread. The 2006 offensive rookie of the year lost his starting job after spraining his left knee in the season opener and prompted a police search for him a day later in an incident the Titans said was blown out of proportion.

Fisher said Young is improving. Asked if Young could be Kerry Collins' backup without practising, Fisher said, "He has a good feel for this game plan." The Titans' other quarterback is Chris Simms.