The Tennessee Titans will be severely depleted when they play the Jacksonville Jaguars in the de facto AFC South championship game next week.
On Thursday, the Titans placed quarterback Ryan Tannehill, pass rusher Bud Dupree, and linebacker Zach Cunningham on the injured reserve, likely ending the season for all three players and guaranteeing they won’t play in Week 18.
Tannehill recently underwent ankle surgery, but was reportedly hopeful to return in time to play against the Jaguars, although ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that plan never had much of a chance..
Both Dupree and Cunningham were injured in the Titans’ 19-14 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. After the pair of linebackers sat out all three practices this week, they were ruled out for Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
It looked as though the Titans were keeping players out to rest up for a Week 18 game that will decide the AFC South champion, regardless of Week 17 results. In addition to ruling out Tannehill, Dupree, and Cunningham, Tennessee is also keeping Jeffery Simmons out against the Cowboys and is likely to keep running back Derrick Henry out too.
The Titans started third-round rookie quarterback Malik Willis in three games so far this season, but reportedly plan to roll with sixth-year veteran Joshua Dobbs on Thursday. Tennessee signed Dobbs off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad last week.
