Ryan Tannehill Tennessee Titans Arizona Cardinals
The Tennessee Titans are left with no choice but to bank on Malik Willis and Joshua Dobbs with Ryan Tannehill suffering an ankle injury. Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • The Titans may have to finish the season without Ryan Tannehill
  • Malik Willis will take over from Tannehill
  • The Titans are likely to lose the lead in the AFC South

The Tennessee Titans need all the help they can get, but the recent update concerning Ryan Tannehill could be telling about their 2022-23 NFL season.

The 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year suffered a right ankle injury on Sunday, December 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers after outside linebacker Khalil Mack landed on his right foot on the Titan's first offensive drive.

The Titans called on rookie quarterback Malik Willis to take over but only in one series.

This was because Tannehill, known to be tough as they come, managed to return with a heavily taped ankle.

"We are never going to question his toughness or his willingness to get back and help us win," coach Mike Vrabel said of Tannehill after the Titans lost, 17-14.

It would be best to note that this is the same ankle that Tannehill injured in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Looking ahead though, it may be a tough road ahead for the Titans, especially following reports that the 2019 NFL passer rating leader is very likely not to return until next NFL season according to Paul Kuharsky.

Tannehill has thrown for 2,536 yards and 13 touchdowns with six interceptions this season.

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Should this stand, it means Tennessee will have to bank on Willis moving forward.

According to ProFootball Talk, the 23-year-old took all of the first-team snaps at quarterback in practice with Tannehill sitting on the sidelibes.

Furthermore, the Titans signed Joshua Dobbs on Wednesday, December 21 to the active roster as the team's backup.

The Tennessee Titans totes a 7-7 win-loss record and still lead the AFC South.

They are slumping and dealing with a four-game losing streak, a reason why their lead is now down to one over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Looking at their schedule, they will face the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Jaguars before closing their NFL season.

Aside from Tannehill, the Titans also placed offensive lineman Dillon Radunz on injured reserve.

The 24-year-old player also suffered a knee injury on Sunday against the Chargers.

Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill may no longer return this NFL season, a blow to the struggling Tennessee Titans season. Reuters/Brad Barr/USA Today Sports
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