The Titans completed a season sweep of the Colts on Sunday, but quarterback Ryan Tannehill injured his ankle during the process. His post-game remarks pointed to a potential Week 8 absence. 
“It doesn’t feel great,” the 34-year-old said of his ankle. “It comes with the territory… I’m going to be out there if I can at all, if at all possible. I’m going to do everything I can this week to get it right.”
Tannehill was wearing a walking boot on Sunday, a sign of how significant the injury is. It only sidelined him for one play during the contest, however, during which backup Malik Willis replaced him. The third-round rookie (who also saw two other snaps against the Colts, though not under center) would take on the starter’s role if Tannehill is unable to recover in time.
Head coach Mike Vrabel provided a positive update on the situation yesterday, however. “[Tannehill’s] progressing,” he said. “A lot of guys, day after the game, are in there getting treatment. We’ll continue to evaluate all of those guys and see where we are on Wednesday,” adding, “we’ll continue to see where Ryan is and we’ll get everybody ready that we feel like needs to get ready.”
Given Tannehill’s age and contract status, it came as little surprise when the Titans drafted Willis in April. The former had an underwhelming 2021 campaign, and has no guaranteed money on the final year of his contract in 2023, which carries a cap hit of $36.6MM. That led some to speculate before the regular season that a QB controversy could be coming soon, but it was reported in September that any changing of the guard would take place no earlier than next season.
Tannehill has helped lead the Titans to a division-leading 4-2 record, though he has guided an underwhelming offense in the process. Tennessee ranks 21st in scoring (19.2 points per game) and 31st in yards (292.5 per contest) through six weeks. His status will be worth monitoring in the coming days, in the build-up to the Titans’ Week 8 game against the Texans.