As if things couldn’t get any worse for the 2023 Tennessee Titans, who currently sport a 3-7 record and are on the fast track to a lost season, Tennessee is also dealing with some injuries.
The Titans’ offensive line suffered a big blow on Monday night when it was reported that right tackle Chris Hubbard would likely miss the rest of the season due to a biceps injury.
Hubbard, who reportedly plans on playing next season as he prepares to turn 33, was a pleasant surprise for Tennessee overall after winning the job out of training camp, basically by default.
With Hubbard on the shelf, the Titans are likely to deploy rookie Jaelyn Duncan at right tackle after he played well in a small sample size versus Jacksonville.
The Titans should do their best to give that job to Duncan the rest of the way, barring his being an absolute disaster. Tennessee has to see what it has in its younger players before a 2024 offseason in which the Titans are likely to make massive changes on both sides of the ball.
On Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel provided injury updates on some of Tennessee’s wounded. Here’s what he had to say about offensive tackle Andre Dillard, wide receiver Treylon Burks and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (thumb)
Vrabel said SMB, who recently had surgery on his ailing thumb, is “trending more positively” this week, according to Jim Wyatt.
Murphy-Bunting has missed the last two games after exiting the Week 9 contest early. He’s arguably been Tennessee’s best cornerback this season, so his absence is less than ideal, to say the least, for a struggling secondary.
While things are looking more positive this week in terms of his chances of playing, don’t be surprised if the Titans take a more conservative approach and hold him out a bit longer with the way this season is going.
WR Treylon Burks (concussion)
Vrabel didn’t speak on Burks’ chances of playing this week but did say the young wideout remains in the concussion protocol and wouldn’t have practiced if there was one on Monday.
Again, don’t be surprised if the Titans take extra time with Burks since there’s really no reason to rush him back. Not to mention, this is his second concussion in as many seasons.
OT Andre Dillard (concussion)
Like Burks, Dillard remains in the concussion protocol and wouldn’t have practiced if Tennessee held a session on Monday. Even if he returns this week, Dillard will likely ride the pine, barring injury.
