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 starting quarterback Jake Locker went down with a nasty-looking hip injury in third quarter of yesterday’s game against the New York Jets, and he had to be carted off the field after absorbing a hit from Jets star 3-4 DE Muhammad Wilkerson. Locker’s injury definitely looked severe, and early indications based on his MRI are that the Titans will miss Jake Locker for 4-8 weeks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. More tests will be done and that timetable is subject to change, but that’s where the Titans and Locker are at right now.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Titans will likely place Jake Locker on the injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning that we should expect the 25-year-old to be out until Week 10’s easy divisional matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Locker’s timetable is, again, subject to change as more tests occur, but the likely scenario at this point has Locker hitting the short-term injured reserve. There will be a clear drop-off between Locker and Ryan Fitzpatrick, but at least Fitzpatrick’s strong arm should still take advantage of the skill-sets of Justin Hunter and speedster Nate Washington.
Jake Locker has all the physical tools to be a top ten quarterback in this league, and he has looked really good so far this season. He was an impeccable 18-24 with three touchdowns and no picks before being bounced out of the game against the Jets with that third-quarter injury, and he has six touchdowns with an outstanding zero interceptions this season. The strong-armed Washington Huskies product has also shown better accuracy with a 62.2% completion percentage, and the uber-athletic and talented passer also has 98 yards on the ground with one touchdown on 15 carries. Let’s hope this injury isn’t as severe as expected.
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