Jake Locker is expected to play vs. the Chargers on Sunday despite suffering a sore shoulder in his non-throwing arm in a loss to the Patriots. (US Presswire)

In the midst of the Tennessee Titans’ most challenging stretch of the season, one play late in Sunday’s opener could have dealt a severe blow to the offense.

Moments after a 49-yard fumble return by Patriots safety Patrick Chung, both quarterback Jake Locker and wide receiver Nate Washington remained sprawled on the ground for several minutes with injuries. Locker made a head-first tackle on Chung and had his left, non-throwing shoulder driven into the ground.

“I played it out as if it was live,” Locker said after the 34-13 loss. “I’m not going to let a guy run into the end zone.”

Locker underwent an MRI on the shoulder on Monday morning to ensure he didn’t suffer any structural damage. The results of the exam were not immediately available, Munchak said at his Monday press conference. The Titans’ second-year coach expects Locker to play Sunday vs. the Chargers. Locker could participate in Wednesday’s practice, Munchak added.

Munchak is also optimistic that Washington will be in the lineup against San Diego. The eighth-year receiver suffered a leg contusion on a hit by Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo and defensive back Tavon Wilson. Titans’ linebacker Colin McCarthy (right ankle) was among a group of several Titans’ players who underwent MRIs on Monday. The extent of the soreness will not be known for another day or so, Munchak said.

Running back Javon Ringer is expected to stay overnight at a local Nashville hospital on Monday for treatment for a left elbow infection. Ringer, who missed Sunday’s loss, experienced swelling in the elbow on Friday. Munchak said the fourth-year running back received an antibiotic at the hospital on Saturday when his elbow “ballooned up a little bit.” Ringer was re-admitted on Monday to receive another antibiotic treatment, according to Munchak.

Right guard Leroy Harris left Sunday’s loss in the fourth quarter with fatigue in his legs. Harris is recovering from offseason knee problems. Munchak was unsure if Harris had the endurance to handle 65 snaps and replaced him with second-year guard Kevin Matthews. Harris is also expected to be in uniform at San Diego.

In Locker’s first career start, the second-year quarterback went 23 of 32 for 229 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Locker finished the game with an 89.2 QB rating. In nine games in 2011, Matt Hasselbeck failed to record a QB rating of at least 89.2. Hasselbeck ended the season with a rating of 82.4.

Defensive struggles: A host of Titans’ players bit on play-action fakes against the Patriots which enabled Tom Brady to spot open receivers downfield on several big plays. New England wide receiver Brandon Lloyd beat cornerback Alterraun Verner and safety Michael Griffin on a double move midway through the first quarter, but dropped the deep pass from Brady. Lloyd later made a 27-yard sliding catch off play-action early in the second quarter. A pair of touchdown catches from Patriots’ tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez came off the fakes.

“There was a time or two where we probably had bad eyes on certain plays,” cornerback Jason McCourty said. “We have to make sure we have our eyes in the right area not only on play-action, but on run plays. Some of it definitely (was) the Patriots’ offense with Brady and some of the weapons they have. Some of it is just on us not playing with our right techniques.”

Munchak was also unhappy with several missed tackles. Defensive linemen Karl Klug and Kamerion Wimbley were unable to wrap up Patriots’ running back Stevan Ridley with arm tackles on a 16-yard run in the second quarter. Griffin also had a missed tackle on a 15-yard run by Ridley in the third quarter.

“They were having success running the ball on the edges,” Munchak said. “It was disappointing to see.”

CJ won’t be benched: Though Chris Johnson finished with a career-low four yards on 11 carries, Munchak isn’t pushing a panic button when it comes to the run game. Munchak doesn’t anticipate replacing Johnson in the starting lineup over the next several weeks.

“I probably won’t evaluate it over one game,” Munchak said. “For 11 carries, I’m not going to break down every run he made or whose fault it was or why it went the way it went.”

In 2011, the Titans ranked 31st in the league in rushing offense (89.9 yards per game). Johnson finished with a career-low 1,047 yards.

“We need to have a few more weeks into the first quarter of the season to see where we are in that phase,” Munchak said.

Britt returns to facility: Wide receiver Kenny Britt received treatment for his injured knee Monday at the Titans’ practice facility. It was the first time Britt was allowed back at the facility since he received a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Munchak is unsure how many snaps Britt is expected to receive vs. the Chargers.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.