NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Head coach Ken Whisenhunt provided an update Monday on the gluttony of injured Titans players coming out of Sunday's Week 13 loss in Houston.
Here's the rundown:
Zach Mettenberger – Whisenhunt said Mettenberger's sprained shoulder isn't as serious as initially feared. He said whether Mettenberger plays Sunday will be determined on how he progresses during the week.
"You certainly don't want put players at risk. That's not what it's about," Whisenhunt said. "But you don't feel great this time of year in the NFL no matter what you've done so you have to work through those things."
Meanwhile, four games remain to continue evaluating his rookie QB.
"We're getting some evaluation of Zach in as tough a situation as you can possibly be in," Whisenhunt said. "There's no question what we're seeing him do is invaluable as far as evaluating him."
Justin Hunter – The receiver remains at a Houston hospital after suffering a lacerated spleen in the first half against the Texans. Whisenhunt said he should be released over the next couple of days, but didn't comment on Hunter's status going forward. Purely from a health standpoint, Whisenhunt said Hunter is ok and will be just fine.
"I talked to him last night and this afternoon. He is in Houston at the hospital, and we expect him to be released over the next day or two, but everything's going well there," Whisenhunt said. "That's good."
Chance Warmack – Tennessee's right guard suffered an ankle injury in the second half. His status will be updated later in the week.
"Chance is doing OK. He's got an ankle. We expect him to progress during the week," Whisenhunt said. "He finished the game with it. He'll be sore, but hopefully he won't have any issues."
Michael Oher – The Titans planned on having Oher for Sunday. The right tackle didn't practice all week, but in walking around before the game Whisenhunt said Oher was feeling good enough to go. That changed during team warmups when Oher heard something "pop," a setback that cost him the game. Although he was among the 46 active players, he was essentially an eighth inactive for the Titans.
In all cases, including those hurt prior to Sunday's game (Kamerion Wimbley, Marqueston Huff, Taylor Lewan, and others), Whisenhunt said he will know more as the week goes on.
Particularly on an offensive line with only one remaining healthy starter (LG Andy Levitre), the return of some players mentioned above would be more than welcomed.
