MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The season opening loss to the Dolphins was tough enough.
Making matters worse, the Titans also lost tight end Delanie Walker late in Sunday's contest with an apparent ankle injury.
Walker was carted off the field at Hard Rock Stadium, his lower right leg in an air cast, after being injured in the closing minutes.
"I haven't seen him since he left the field," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of Walker. "Our thoughts and our prayers are with him. It certainly didn't look good from where I was standing."
Walker, in his 13th NFL season, was named to his third straight Pro Bowl in 2017 after he led the team with 74 receptions for 807 yards and three touchdowns. He was named Offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl after catching two touchdowns in the game, including an 18-yard, game-winning score in the fourth quarter.
Walker suffered his injury after making catch from quarterback Blaine Gabbert with just over three minutes remaining. Walker's right leg was trapped under the defender who tackled him on the play.
"That's the nature of the beast," Gabbert said. "There's a 100 percent injury rate in the NFL. You never like to see a guy go like that at the end of the game. We are hoping for the best for Delanie, but we all know what we saw. That was a bad one."
In the locker room, players said they're praying for Walker, who had four catches for 52 yards on Sunday before his injury.
Walker was voted as one of the team's captains last week.
"He's a big piece of this team, a leader," defensive lineman Jurrell Casey said. "He's a vital piece of this organization. We'll keep him in our prayers and pray for a speedy recovery."
Added quarterback Marcus Mariota: "I hope he gets back as fast as he can. The guy is a stud. He has been Mr. Reliable throughout his entire career. Whatever happens we have to have the next guy step up. But hopefully (he'll have) a speedy recovery and he'll be back."
The Tennessee Titans prepare to take on the Miami Dolphins in the regular season opener for both teams on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at Hard Rock Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans wide receivers Taywan Taylor (13) and Tajae Sharpe (19) greet each other n the field, before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams is seen before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel talks to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80), before an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) warms up, before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up, before an NFL football gamea, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, right, talks to Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase before an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up, before an NFL football gamea, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up, before an NFL football gamea, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
