Derek Hagan was almost Titans' hero

LANDOVER, Md. – Wide receiver Derek Hagan was close to being a hero for the Titans on Sunday, but the storybook finish wasn't meant to be.

The eighth-year pro caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Charlie Whitehurst with 7:41 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Titans a 17-16 lead over the Redskins.

It was Hagan's first touchdown catch since Dec. 18, 2011, when he was with the Bills.

Hagan couldn't celebrate too much, however, as the Titans lost the game a few minute later, 19-17.

"It felt good, but it was just one play,'' Hagan said. "Obviously if the outcome was different, it would've been great. But we lost the game. So that's really what it comes down to. We worked so hard and put in a lot of time and effort to win games and we let this one slip away."

Said Whitehurst of the touchdown: "It was good to see him run the ball down. Derek made a good move to get behind him, and we hit it."

Hagan, who sat out of football last season, has also played for the Dolphins, Giants, Raiders and Bills. He had two catches for 45 yards against the Redskins, giving him four catches for 79 yards this season.