The Tennessee Titans’ road to the playoffs just got much rockier.
The Athletic reports on Wednesday that quarterback Ryan Tannehill is “most likely” out for the remainder of the season with a right ankle injury. The veteran suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s the same ankle he injured earlier in the season that sidelined him two games.
That’s obviously a huge blow for the Titans, who were already reeling after losing four straight games. Tennessee, which is 7-7, still leads the AFC South by a game over the Jacksonville Jaguars. FiveThirtyEight.com gives the Titans a 46% chance of making the playoffs, but that doesn’t yet factor in Tannehill’s injury.
With Tannehill out, the team will turn to rookie Malik Willis. The third-round pick out of Liberty is talented but inexperienced. Experience counts for a lot down the stretch and in the postseason, where mistakes are amplified.
NFL fans weighed in on Tannehill’s injury with mixed feelings.
“I need some Titans fans and content creators to understand that it is okay to praise Ryan Tannehill and not disrespect Malik Willis,” tweeted Ryan Harris, host of a Titans podcast called @TheJumpPassTN. “Also it’s okay to sympathize with Malik Willis without bashing Ryan Tannehill.”
Jaguars fan JJ Cole tweeted, “Just now watching Willis in interviews. Guy looks poised and calm beyond his years. He’s gonna need time, like most new QBs.”
“The final game of the season is what truly matters, and our Titans should rest Ryan Tannehill until then,” tweeted a Titans fan, holding out hope Tannehill can return. “Nothing good can possibly come from playing him while he’s injured in the next two weeks.”
“I refuse to believe Tannehill is out for the season. I bet he plays at Jaguars week 18 If he is out for the season that’s devastatingly sad,” tweeted Rickie W.
Jags fan here, just trying to study the competition. Just now watching Willis in interviews. Guy looks poised and calm beyond his years. He’s gonna need time, like most new QBs.
— jj cole (@jcolemandpm8) December 22, 2022
The final game of the season is what truly matters, and our Titans should rest Ryan Tannehill until then.
Nothing good can possibly come from playing him while he’s injured in the next two weeks.
— London Titan
(@LondonTitan) December 21, 2022
I refuse to believe Tannehill is out for the season. I bet he plays at Jaguars week 18
If he is out for the season that's devastatingly sad.
NO ONE IN THE NFL HAS DONE MORE WITH LESS THAN RYAN TANNEHILL THE PAST 3 YEARS.
I blame Vrabel and Downing. The are bad coaches#Titans
— Rickie W (@tngolfer) December 22, 2022