Rookie Malik Willis has the Tennessee Titans’ playoff hopes in his hands when the Houston Texans visit on Christmas Eve, according to reports.
Ryan Tannehill was ruled out by coach Mike Vrabel and reportedly will miss the rest of the season with a right ankle injury requiring season-ending surgery. Tannehill hurt his ankle absorbing a hit from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack. Vrabel did not confirm Tannehill was out for the season when pressed on the matter Thursday afternoon.
Also Thursday, the Titans placed starting center Ben Jones (concussion) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell (hamstring) on injured reserve, ending their regular seasons.
Meanwhile, eight-game starter LB Dylan Cole (ankle) has been ruled out against the Texans, as has starting guard Nate Davis (ankle). Starting CB Kristian Fulton (groin) will miss his third straight game.
Rookie wideout Treylon Burks is listed as questionable. He has been a full participant in practice but remains in the concussion protocol.
After Tannehill injured the same ankle in Week 6, Willis started in Weeks 8 and 9. He passed for 177 total yards with one interception this season. He has also rushed for 80 yards.
Willis dominated the practice reps Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Teammates confirmed he would be the starter for a critical game this weekend against the Texans (1-12-1).
Tennessee (7-7) has lost four games in a row and the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8) are in position to make the AFC South division race interesting with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
With Tannehill’s status up in the air, the Titans signed Josh Dobbs, who played collegiately at Tennessee, off the Lions’ practice squad.
Jones suffered his second concussion of the season on Sunday. He missed two games with a concussion earlier this season but has started all 12 games he’s played in this season.
Mitchell has an interception and four passes defensed in 11 games (five starts) this season, his first in Tennessee.
The team also signed offensive lineman Daniel Munyer to the active roster from the practice squad.
–Field Level Media
