NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- DeMarco Murray took the opening handoff of team drills, galloped through a large hole, and ran past a couple of would-be Carolina Panthers tacklers for a big gain. It looked as close to a fully healthy Murray as the Tennessee Titans have seen since the first week of training camp.

Murray's hamstring injury, suffered Aug. 2, cost him nearly two weeks of full practice reps, but Titans coach Mike Mularkey anticipates him playing Saturday against the Panthers.

"He's still kind of testing it a little bit. I think he's progressing pretty well," Mularkey said. "Mix him up and see how he is out there."

Murray said his hamstring feels better, but he did not want to put a percentage on his health. He returned to team drills earlier this week and did not appear limited in Wednesday's joint practice with the Panthers.

"I am better now, and it's great to be back," Murray said. "I'm working hard and I'm ready to go."

It will be the first time this preseason Murray and fellow running back Derrick Henry will attack defenses at the same time. The Panthers' stout front seven gave them a strong test on Wednesday, winning more than their fair share of battles against the Titans' run game in team drills after Murray's big run.

The Titans are hoping for a better offensive showing Saturday against Carolina than they put out there against the New York Jets last weekend. That will start with establishing the run effectively early in the game.

Mularkey was also eager to have the Panthers 4-3 defense challenging them considering the Titans' first three regular season opponents (Oakland, Jacksonville, Seattle) field 4-3 defenses or hybrid defenses.

On another injury note, Titans receiver Eric Decker twisted his ankle during one-on-one drills early in Wednesday's practice and didn't finish the session. Mularkey doesn't believe the injury is serious.