NASHVILLE – Ever since Ryan Tannehill took over as the team's starting quarterback during the 2019 season, the Titans have never had to worry about his availability heading into a game.
Until now.
Tannehill, who suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Colts, left Nissan Stadium in a walking boot after the game.
On Monday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel provided an update on Tannehill.
The Titans face the Texans in Houston on Sunday.
"Good," Vrabel replied when asked how Tannehill is doing. "(He's) progressing. A lot of guys, day after the game, are in there getting treatment. We'll continue to evaluate all of those guys and see where we are on Wednesday."
Vrabel said the Titans will monitor Tannehill and his condition during the course of the week.
"The quarterback is vital to the execution (of the offense)," Vrabel said, "and we'll continue to see where Ryan is and we'll get everybody ready that we feel like needs to get ready."
Tannehill was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game when his right ankle was fallen on by right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, who stumbled and fell backward – and into his quarterback – while blocking Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
Tannehill left the game for a play, replaced by back-up quarterback Malik Willis.
After entering the medical tent on the sideline, Tannehill had his ankle taped. He finished the contest, but admitted after the game he was in discomfort.
"It doesn't feel great," Tannehill said after the game. "It comes with the territory, right? I'm going to be out there if I can at all, if at all possible. I'm going to do everything I can this week to get it right."
Willis played three snaps on Sunday against the Colts, but only one at quarterback. On his lone snap at quarterback, Willis handed the ball off.
Asked about Willis on Monday, Vrabel said "he continues to improve, and has taken ownership of the show team – that's where every back-up quarterback gets their reps. But still understanding the game plan and still being ready to go. So, I like where that's been the last couple of weeks.
"Maybe the first week of the season it was something that was new for him," Vrabel said of Willis. "We had a conversation about how he needs to operate and get those guys to function."
Vrabel on Monday said he appreciates Tannehill's toughness, and doing his part to return to action against the Colts.
"It would be hard to keep some of those guys from trying to go back in and doing everything that they possibly can to help the football team," Vrabel said. "Ryan is just one example of that, of many. But he certainly had all intentions of doing everything he could to get back there. And, with any injury, and we've been through this as it relates to us, how we identify guys if they can continue to play. Can they make it worse? Are they going to be able to reasonably do their job up to the expectations that we have for them? And, can they protect themselves? When he was able to progress through … it was good to see."
In addition to Tannehill and Willis on the 53-man roster, the Titans also have quarterback Logan Woodside on the team's practice squad.
Kickoff for Sunday's game in Houston is set for 3:05 p.m.
