The Titans look primed to make another deep playoff run. But they're going to have to do it without one of their better players.
Left tackle Taylor Lewan confirmed via Twitter that he suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's 42-36 overtime win over the Texans. The three-time Pro Bowler went down in the second quarter of the OT thriller in which Tennessee managed to remain unbeaten. An MRI on Monday confirmed he's now lost for the season.
The Titans later placed Lewan on injured reserve and activated wide receiver from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
"Don't feel sorry for me, I'm going to handle this rehab like a Pro and come back better than ever," .
The Titans can't afford to sulk either. They need to figure out Lewan's replacement. Ty Sambrailo took over the blind side Sunday and proceeded to get beat off the edge by J.J. Watt, leading to a strip-sack of Ryan Tannehill. Of course, Tennessee's offense would recover. Tannehill added to his two early touchdown passes with two more, while Derrick Henry rumbled for 212 yards and a pair of late scores.
Maybe the Titans are fine. They've boasted one of the league's best offenses thus far, despite Lewan's slow start to his seventh season. He's currently graded as Pro Football Focus' No. 49 tackle among those with at least 200 snaps. He rated no worse than 22nd in the previous five seasons. His successor will be filling big shoes regardless. Sambrailo, a 2015 second-round pick by the Broncos, has never started more than four games in a season.
Tennessee drafted offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson No. 29 overall in April but he's spent most of the season on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The rookie was removed Oct. 10. He also was a right tackle in college.
The next few weeks should show just how much of a loss Lewan is.
