After undergoing surgery on his sternum Tuesday, quarterback Steve McNair's recovery is expected to be ahead of schedule by normal off-season standards.

''After six weeks, to my understanding, he'll be turned loose to do whatever he can do,'' Head Coach Jeff Fisher said following Wednesday's practice. ''That should be everything- that would include lifting, running, everything.''

According to Coach Fisher, if McNair decides to return next year, he'll see one major difference in his off-season workout routine-- it will be ''normal.''

''[A normal off-season workout routine] will be different than the last few off-seasons because he hasn't been healthy enough to do those types of things,'' Fisher said. ''Last year the ankle and the foot basically prohibited him from doing things throughout most of the spring.''

According to McNair's surgeon Dr. Burton Elrod the surgery went great but that the 2003 co-MVP's situation is unusual.

''We talked to four or five doctors who have been around the NFL for almost 20 years,'' Elrod said. ''They have only seen one [case] in the NFL even similar to this. It's very rare.''

McNair might have had a physical injury, however emotionally his spirit is great.

''He actually feels a lot better than he does even after the licks he would get in a ballgame after the surgery,'' Elrod said. ''We are just making him stay an extra day to be safe.''

Tennessee's other injured quarterback Billy Volek returned to practice after leaving the Christmas night game with a bruised knee.

''He is a little sore, but he got through practice today,'' Fisher said. ''I think he'll be okay.''

Three other previously injured Titans might see playing time during Sunday's season finale against the Lions including linebacker Rocky Boiman, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and rookie linebacker Cody Spencer.

''They all worked in practice today,'' Fisher said. ''[The team] wants to win this ballgame very badly and they're going to do whatever it takes to do so.''