The Tennessee Titans find themselves in an unusual situation going into a Week 17 contest against the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite it being late in the season, the result of this game is meaningless to the Titans, who are already set for a winner-take-all contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South in Week 18.
As a result, there is likely a temptation by Tennessee to sit at least some of its key players in order for this injury-plagued team to avoid further injuries.
For the Cowboys, this game has significance. Dallas is two games back of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and can still win the division if Philly loses out and the Cowboys win out.
The question of whether or not the Titans should sit their starters for this game is just one of three burning questions we have for Tennessee going into Week 17.
Should Titans rest key players?
This is the question of the week.
The Titans don’t have anything to gain in terms of the AFC South by beating the Cowboys in Week 17. A winner-take-all Week 18 matchup against the Jaguars is already set, no matter the result of Thursday’s game.
So, when coupled with the short turnaround between games, it would make sense if the Titans want to rest their key players, especially those who are banged-up the most.
The other side of the argument is, the Titans are in really bad shape after five-straight losses and will enter a do-or-die Week 18 contest with six-straight losses and no head of steam if their best players don’t take the field.
Also, players who have been out for multiple games already going into this one will have to worry about the rust factor if they sit again on Thursday.
As far as the momentum argument is concerned, the Titans will probably lose to a very good Cowboys team anyway, making it even more logical to limit or sit at least some of the team’s best players.
Will Todd Downing use Malik Willis' legs more?
Now, we shift to assuming at least some of the Titans’ starters play. If there’s anyone who could use the reps, it’s Willis. The rookie has shown some flashes in three starts, but not enough to win games with his arm.
If offensive coordinator Todd Downing wants to help his confidence and make things easier for his young signal-caller, who is behind a terrible offensive line and throwing to bad receivers, he’ll start drawing up more designed runs to try and utilize what is easily Willis’ best asset right now.
The Titans’ offense has no air attack to support Derrick Henry, thus Downing has to find other ways to try and take pressure off or else the Cowboys and Jaguars are going to be able to key-in on Henry with zero repercussions.
Which injured players suit up if everyone plays?
Assuming everyone plays (I don’t think that will happen), the Titans have several key potential returns and absences to watch.
The biggest names who were out last week we’re keeping an eye on are Kristian Fulton and Amani Hooker. The injury spotlight is also on Bud Dupree, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Zach Cunningham, all of whom exited Week 16 early with injuries.
On top of all those players, six others were listed as a did not practice on Monday’s estimated injury report, including Denico Autry, Derrick Henry and Jeffery Simmons.
