NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams wants more of Vince Young. He's getting just that with his winless team switching from veteran Kerry Collins back to the 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Coach Jeff Fisher announced the expected move yesterday following practice for the 0-6 Titans, and Young got the news from his coach in the morning. Fisher insists it was an organizational decision resulting from the team's winless start and that he won't play musical chairs with the position.

"We're in a unique situation right now. We haven't won a game. We wouldn't be having this conversation if we were 3-3," Fisher said.

That means Young will start Sunday against Jacksonville (3-3), the team that helped send him to the bench in the 2008 opener by picking him off twice and spraining his knee. Collins started 20 of the 21 games since then.

Young has eight career interceptions against Jacksonville with only three touchdown passes. He also has more career interceptions (33) than TD passes (22). But he has won five of his last six starts and is 18-11 as a starter. Young thanked Fisher for giving him a chance to sit back, develop and learn from Collins.

"For him to give me a shot again to go out and give it a chance again is big for me because I've been waiting," Young said.

The move appeared inevitable since the Titans lost 59-0 at New England on Oct. 18. Adams told The Tennessean newspaper after that loss that he wanted to see more of Young, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft

Collins wasn't happy or surprised by the move, which came a day after the Titans started prepping for their next game.

"When you're 0-6, then heads are going to roll. More times than not, it's the quarterback," Collins said.

SAINTS

FULLBACK EVANS OUT AFTER ACL SURGERY

Sean Payton brought fullback Heath Evans to the New Orleans Saints with the aim of gaining versatility on the field and leadership in the locker room.

The Saints will have to settle for the latter for the rest of this season.

The Saints placed Evans on injured reserve, coach Payton said yesterday, because of a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear that occurred in last Sunday's comeback victory in Miami.

"That's tough," quarterback Drew Brees said. "Heath was not only a real productive player, but he's an awesome guy — an awesome locker room guy, great for that running backs room."

SEAHAWKS

LB TATUPU GONE FOR SEASON AFTER SURGERY

Seattle's defensive captain saw his season end yesterday.

A team spokesman said three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu went on the injured reserve list while he was having surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle in Alabama. Tatupu traveled there to consult with noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

Tatupu was injured in the first half of Seattle's loss to Arizona on Oct. 18. He was hit high by teammate Deon Grant as both tried to make a tackle.

ELSEWHERE

Jets: New York found the replacement for Leon Washington in the man he replaced: Justin Miller. Miller will return kickoffs for the Jets on Sunday against Miami in his first game back with New York. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff says he's eager to see if the 2006 Pro Bowl selection can be the explosive returner he was in his first stint with the Jets.

Vikings: Minnesota rookie receiver and return man Percy Harvin did not practice yesterday because of illness. Coach Brad Childress did not specify the illness, but Harvin has had trouble with migraine headaches this season. Childress says he is hopeful that Harvin will return today to practice for Sunday's game at Green Bay.