Titans' Marks hurting from Texans' cut block

The Tennessee Titans defensive line may have taken another hit.

Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks' availability for Sunday's game with Jacksonville is in doubt because of an injury suffered on an apparent cut block from the Houston Texans in last Sunday's 20-0 loss by Tennessee. Texans' guard Wade Smith made the hit on Marks.

It was overshadowed by the Cortland Finnegan-Andre Johnson fight, and though cut blocks are legal, Marks was still visibly angry as he hobbled off the field and did not return to the game. After the game, Marks was carted to the Titans team bus.

“My thing is we know the way Houston is, and we play them a lot. Certain blocks are legal on the offensive and defensive line, but you're cracking down on a lot of stuff and giving guys fines for a lot of things that happen on the field. Clearly, this guy was beaten and he dove and rolled at my ankles,” Marks said. “I don't think that's a good blocking technique at all. If you're gonna cut somebody, you cut them off the first step. You don't get into the block and then you dive and roll at the guy's, and try to hurt them. That pissed me off.”

Marks is now nursing a right ankle injury and was wearing a protective boot. As a rookie last year, he hurt his left ankle on a similar play, again against the Texans. That time, Eric Winston was the culprit.

The Titans are already thin on the defensive line with other injuries.

Tony Brown, who has been dealing with a problematic knee all season, also exited the game early on. The Titans were without Ball (concussion) and Jason Jones (knee) against the Texans, but are hopeful of getting one or both of them back this week.