Report: Jake Locker May Have Season-Ending Foot Injury
Nov 10, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) runs with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Indications are #Titans QB Jake Locker suffered a season-ending foot injury in today's game vs the Jaguars
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 10, 2013
Being told by source that Jake Locker's foot injury is "bad" and most likely season-ending. Tests tomorrow will confirm whether it is.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) November 11, 2013
Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker can’t remain healthy. Locker injured himself during an option-keeper in a 29-27 loss to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars. Shortly afterward, Locker fumbled the exchange on a handoff with Chris Johnson. That turnover cost the team at least three points. It was a significant momentum shift.
Foot. Shoulder. Knee. Hip. College injuries include thumb, ribs and neck. Locker is the NFL’s living version of the Operation board game. What makes it unbearable is that these injuries have a significant impact on his performance. He hasn’t been able to adequately perform when he’s hurt. His oft-injured nature and inability to perform at a high level when injured makes him a huge liability.
Losing Locker doesn’t necessarily mean that this team has no chance at a playoff berth. There are a lot of 4-5 and 5-4 AFC teams who are vying for that final wild-card bid. All of them have significant problems that revolve around coaches, players and internal fiascoes (e.g. Miami Dolphins). With a 4-5 record and four remaining games against above-.500 opponents, Tennessee had better find answers—and fast.
Is this the last time that we see Locker at quarterback? It may depend on what direction this franchise goes in. A new coaching regime may want a new long-term signal-caller. If Mike Munchak stays, then expect Locker to get one more season to prove himself.
Uncertain times lie ahead. Strangely enough, Locker’s future may rest on how well Fitzpatrick does—or doesn’t—perform.
Among the injuries were Damian Williams and Brian Schwenke. Schwenke didn’t look like he’d play anytime soon, as evidenced with this tweet:
#Titans center Brian Schwenke left LP Field with his right foot in a protective boot.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 11, 2013
Adding salt to the wounds. All these injuries happening right before a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Indianapolis Colts. Already two games behind the AFC South leaders, the Titans must win this matchup to return to .500. One can expect that this fan base won’t have as much energy as they would’ve if first place in the AFC South were on the line.
Maybe better news tomorrow? We’ll see. One can bet that the Colts will come into LP Field as an angry football team after a 30-point loss to the St. Louis Rams.