Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck limped off the field during the second quarter of Sunday's 22-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, a tough setback for a team chasing a playoff spot.
With the exception of one emergency play during the fourth quarter, Hasselbeck was sidelined for the rest of the game by a left calf injury and relieved by Jake Locker. Hasselbeck returned when Locker was shaken up, completing a 9-yard pass to Chris Johnson, but was clearly limited by the injury.
Titans coach Mike Munchak told reporters after the game Hasselbeck could have returned if he had to, but the team was trying to be smart about the injury. He said the team would know more about the injury by Monday, presumably after further testing is done.
"The fact that he was able to come back in was a positive," Munchak said. "So we'll see. At first we thought it was worse, but obviously it wasn't. We'll just have to see how sore he is tomorrow."
Hasselbeck was injured on an odd play. After his pass attempt was batted into the air, he pushed off to chase the ball and pulled up almost immediately, unable to put much weight on his left leg. Hasselbeck limped off the field and went straight to the trainers' table to be checked out. A compression sleeve was put over the calf, and Hasselbeck tried to warm up on the sideline, but Locker came out to start the team's next series.
Hasselbeck said after the game he wasn't in pain and thought it was probably just a strain.
"Hopefully it's not that bad," he told reporters. "We're going to get an MRI on it in the morning and see how bad it is. ... Really, we won't know anything until tomorrow until we get the results of the scan."
Hasselbeck was 5 of 7 passing for 44 yards before leaving. Locker was solid in relief, finishing 13-of-29 passing for 282 yards and a touchdown, plus 36 yards rushing and a touchdown run.
Munchak didn't have an update on running back Javon Ringer (hand) and backup linebacker Gerald McRath (ankle, left knee), who did not return to the game.
