The Tennessee Titans are damaged goods, but there's still plenty of football left to play. The expectation is that quarterback Jake Locker will lead the way from here on out.
Titans coach Mike Munchak told reporters Wednesday that Locker is expected to start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Munchak said Locker is healthy enough to play after separating his non-throwing shoulder in Week 4 against the Houston Texans. Locker hasn't seen the field since, but he split reps with Matt Hasselbeck in Wednesday's practice.
"Physically I was able to keep myself in shape, and I was able to throw for most of it," Locker said, according to The Associated Press. "Just kind of making sure that you're in the mental grind of it. But, you know, I tried to do that as well as I could too. I prepared as if I was playing and tried to help Matt anyway I could. Those were things I tried not to get lackadaisical on so I didn't have to adjust to that."
The Titans are one week away from their bye. At 3-6, there's zero reason to rush Locker into action, but Munchak said another week on the bench wouldn't significantly improve the quarterback's health.
We stuck a fork in the Titans on Tuesday, mainly because of their outrageously inept defense. Tennessee is allowing 34 points per game, forcing the offense to play from behind on a weekly basis. Locker returns to a shattered team, but getting their passer of the future back gives the Titans an ounce of hope moving forward.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
