Jake Locker expected to start

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) rolls out to pass against the New York Jets during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker has made a swift recovery from a serious hip injury he suffered about three weeks ago in Week 4 against the New York Jets, and the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Locker is expected to play this week against the San Francisco 49ers. Locker has been able to practice all week, and Titans head coach Mike Munchak said that Locker did everything the team asked of him at practice yesterday.

Munchak said yesterday that the Titans would decide Locker’s status today, so we’ll see what the final verdict is. My belief has been that the Titans will play it cautious with Locker and allow him to sit through the bye week before the Week 9 game against the St. Louis Rams, but Locker really wants to play. He’s one of the toughest QBs in the game, and it sounds like he will get his wish.

Rapoport’s report only says that we should “expect” Jake Locker to start, so his chances of playing tomorrow are likely but definitely not certain. He has looked much more accurate this season than he did last year, and Locker has all the physical tools to be a potential top ten starting quarterback in this league. He is currently listed questionable on the injury report, and we’ll see if his, as Rapoport termed it, “stunning recovery” can culminate in a very early return this week.

Man, is Jake Locker one tough guy.

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