NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Brought to the Tennessee Titans with a three-year, $9 million with $4.5 million guaranteed, Dexter McCluster was supposed to be an X factor for the offense.

Halfway through his first season, McCluster’s role remains hazy.

The versatile running back has played just 28 percent of the offensive snaps, has touched the ball a grand total of 40 times, and has accounted for only eight percent of the team’s yardage.

"A lot of it is because we haven’t been very good on third down, sustaining drives and giving us more opportunities," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "A lot of it’s just the way the games have gone. I’m hopeful that as we continue to go through the season those things will have more frequent occurrences."

McCluster should be a key guy in helping the Titans convert more third downs, it seems to me.

In some games he’s been virtually invisible. He played four snaps on offense against Dallas, nine against in Indianapolis, six in Washington.

"I’m not going to push it, I’m definitely not going to try to force something," he said. "You have to let it come to you, that’s the game of football. When it comes to you it going to come to you. I’ve just got to focus on continuing to prepare like I’ve been preparing to go out there, and when I get the opportunity to try to make the best of it.

"I came in with high hopes and they had the same feeling as well. Just the way things have been fluctuating, the way things have been working out, I haven’t gotten the opportunity. I’m not discouraged or anything. We talk about it all the time. I definitely trust in it. It’s more so figuring out ourselves, our identity."

His 48-yard punt return early in the Titans' loss to Houston was him most impactful play of the season. His longest catch is 25 yards. His longest run is 16.

"Dex has a lot in him still to be seen by everybody," receiver Kendall Wright said. "Whatever position our coaches put Dex in, wherever they line him up, he runs it. Dex can do a whole lot, he’s really, really versatile and really talented, and stronger than he looks."

Whisenhunt sounds intent on finding more ways to get production from McCluster, but the Titans have been saying that a lot this season.

"We’ll continue to have things designed for Dexter," Whisenhunt said. "And hopefully we’ll get to do a better job of incorporating him in, giving us a chance to make some more plays."