Things are preparing to get worse for the Tennessee Titans before they seem to get better. The team is coming off another ugly loss as sloppy play saw them fall to the Houston Texans in Week 8. Committed to making this work this season, injuries are not helping the cause. Marcus Mariota has been dealing with a knee injury and now top receiver Kendall Wright could miss time after getting hurt in Week 8.
According to the Tennessean, Wright sustained a sprained MCL injury against the Texans that leaves him doubtful for Week 9. Wright has started every game this season while acquiring 343 yards on 28 catches. Considering the Titans are 1-6 on the year, those numbers are impressive for the unit. Losing Wright for any period of time hurts the offense for the Titans regardless of how bad they are playing and the Titans could struggle to replace him.
According to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN, the Titans are hurting for productive bodies on the field. Without Wright, they are without their best receiver leaving Delanie Walker as the player who can make the biggest impact. Harry Douglas has missed two games with a rib injury. Justin Hunter is not improving on the year and Dorial Green-Beckham is still getting hit with rookie struggles as he is not a threat in route running. Without Wright, Green-Beckham must step up and try and fill the receiving void for the quarterback.
The Titans are hopeful that Mariota is back in action in Week 9. Zach Mettenberger started for the second game this season and was sacked seven times throughout the loss to the Texans. According to head coach Ken Whisenhunt, Mariota could be back for Week 9 as the team was close to having him play on Sunday. Without Mariota, the Titans must begin to focus on running the ball more. Antonio Andrews has proved himself to be a very dynamic threat in the backfield. With Bishop Sankey and Dexter McCluster not consistent, Andrews is the best rusher. There is a chance that Davis Cobb returns from injured reserve, but right now the best option is Andrews.
"You always want to be able to run the ball," general manager Ruston Webster said on The Midday 180 in Nashville. "It's tough in this league to just drop back and throw the ball every down with the way these pass rushers are and the fact that we have a young offensive line that's still trying to come together."
Without Wright, the season becomes an uphill climb for the Titans. It has not been determined how much time Wright will miss, but considering Mariota has been out two games, they could be on the same timetable.