NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with receiver Justin McCareins on Wednesday, bringing him back to the team that drafted him.
The Titans drafted McCareins in the fourth-round in 2001 and traded him to the New York Jets in 2004 for a second-round draft pick that year. McCareins started each game his first two seasons with New York but totaled only 13 starts over the past two seasons with 42 combined catches in that time.
He was cut earlier this month by the Jets.
"Justin is a strong, physical receiver that has the ability to get downfield and has a lot of playing experience," general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "There is obviously a comfort-level from both sides with his previous time here and he adds depth to the receiver group."
Tennessee is trying to improve an offense that managed just nine touchdowns passing last season, one reason coach Jeff Fisher fired offensive coordinator Norm Chow in January and replaced him by bringing back Mike Heimerdinger.
McCareins has size at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. He had 12 starts in 36 games with Tennessee in which he caught 69 passes for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. In New York, he had 141 catches for 2,062 and seven touchdowns. He saw limited action last season, catching just 19 passes for 232 yards with some costly drops.
His best year came in 2003 with Heimerdinger as McCareins had 47 catches for a career-high 813 yards and seven touchdowns.
McCareins is the second ex-Titan the team has brought back this offseason, joining defensive end Jevon Kearse who agreed to terms last week on a two-year deal. The Titans also have signed offensive guard Jake Scott and tight end Alge Crumpler this offseason.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.
