Preview: Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

In a game that features two teams whose post-season fates are pretty much sealed, the Tennessee Titans (4-7) will host the Houston Texans (10-1) at LP Field Sunday, December 2nd at 1 pm EST. The last time the Texans played the Titans, it was in Houston and the Texans dominated the scoreboard as they won a 38-14 game, even though the Titans offense earned 27 more yards than the Texans’.

If there is a difference between this match-up and the last, it is that Houston has a litany of injuries that are affecting the team right now. Brooks Reed is out with a groin injury, Brian Cushing was lost for the season with a knee injury early in the season, and Johnathon Joseph, probably the most underrated cornerback in the league, is out as well with a hamstring injury. Interestingly, it was the Titans who suffered as a result of injury the last time these two met, when Jake Locker got injured in the first quarter of that game.

As a result of Reed’s injury, Whitney Mercilus, a player the Titans were rumored to have an interest in drafting, should see his first start of the season. He has yet to really see the field in any significant manner, save special teams, and it will be interesting to see how the raw talent performs.

On the Titans side, the big thing to watch is how the offense operates with interim OC Dowell Loggains at the helm. Having spent the last 3 seasons as a quarterbacks coach, he should have solid insight into Locker’s strengths and weaknesses, and be able to game plan accordingly, but the true test will be the outcomes of these last games.

Don McPeak-US Presswire

Regional Network Channel: CBS

DirecTV Channel: 712

Time: 1 PM Eastern/10 AM Pacific

Injury Report

TEN

Jake Locker QB – Left Shoulder – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Al Afalava S  -Ankle – Full Participation in Practice – Questionable
Lavelle Hawkins WR – Ankle – Full Participation in Practice – Questionable
Patrick Bailey LB – Ribs – Full Participation in Practice – Questionable
Damian Williams WR – Hamstring – Limited Participation in Practice – Questionable
Xavier Adibi LB – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Colin McCarthy LB – Concussion – Did Not Participate In Practice – Out
Craig Stevens TE – Hamstring – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Jamie Harper RB – Ankle – Did Not Participate In Practice – Questionable
Derrick Morgan DE – Knee – Did Not Participate In Practice – Questionable
Kenny Britt WR – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable

HOU

Antoine Caldwell G – Hamstring – Did Not Participate In Practice – Out
Brice McCain CB – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Arian Foster RB – Finger – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Johnathan Joseph CB – Hamstring – Did Not Participate In Practice – Out
Jared Crick DE – Neck – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Lestar Jean WR – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Ben Tate RB – Hamstring – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Antonio Smith DE – Ankle – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Justin Forsett RB – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
J.J. Watt DE – Illness – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
DeVier Posey WR – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Shaun Cody DT – Ribs – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Tyler Clutts RB – Hip – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Jesse Nading LB – Foot – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Wade Smith G – Knee – Limited Participation in Practice – Probable
Alan Ball CB – Foot – Did Not Participate In Practice – Questionable
Derek Newton T – Knee – Did Not Participate In Practice – Out
Glover Quin S – Shoulder – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Owen Daniels TE – Back – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Bradie James LB – Hamstring – Did Not Participate In Practice – Out
Chris Myers C – Elbow – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
T.J. Yates QB – Right Shoulder – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Brooks Reed LB – Groin – Did Not Participate In Practice – Out
Kevin Walter WR – Shoulder – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Tim Dobbins LB – Shoulder – Limited Participation in Practice – Probable
Darryl Sharpton LB – Knee – Full Participation in Practice – Probable
Andre Johnson WR – Groin – Full Participation in Practice – Probable

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