Offensive line injuries hurt Titans

The Tennessee Titans' bleak situation wasn't helped by a rough day injury-wise against the Houston Texans.

The Titans lost two offensive linemen early in the game – as right tackle David Stewart suffered a season-ending broken right ankle, and left guard Steve Hutchinson suffered a right knee injury.

Also, for a brief time left tackle Michael Roos was out with an undisclosed injury as well.

That left the Titans putting Mike Otto at right tackle and Kevin Matthews at left guard.

Predictably, the results were not good, as the Titans gave up six sacks of Jake Locker, who was under duress for much of the day.

“They're a good pass rushing team. It's one of those deals where we need to hold up better and get more time,” Otto said. “We were also in a situation with our turnovers where we were passing the ball every day. When you pass that much, you're going to get some pressure up there, but the bottom line is we need to hold up better.

“It was one of those deal that the guys who went in were gonna have to step up. The game is not going to stop. We've got to fill in the spots with whoever we possibly can and make plays and try to win a game.”

Offensive line coach Bruce Matthews was left scrambling for answers with only seven linemen active for the game.

“The two tackles go down for the first time since I can't tell you when, so it's a tough situation,” Matthews said. “They're a great defense to begin with and they can get after the passer.”

Locker was diplomatic about the situation, saying, “I believe in their ability and that they're going to do everything they can to protect me. You hate to see those guys go down and get hurt, but you know, I have faith in those guys who get the opportunity to come in and play.”

Hutchinson is expected to have an MRI on his knee Monday, and depending upon the results of that, Tennessee could have only Roos still left starting from the offensive line that began training camp as the first team.

Other injuries

The offensive line bore the brunt of most of the injuries, but defensive end Kamerion Wimbley did not finish the game with an injury to his big toe.

“It was during a rush. I don't know exactly what happened. I wasn't able to get a good push off,” Wimbley said.

He will have the injury examined on Monday.

Also, receiver Damian Williams, already bothered by a hamstring problem, re-injured it when he collided with a security worker on the sideline.

Loggains debut

Dowell Loggains' debut as offensive coordinator did not go nearly as planned for the Tennessee Titans.

Loggains, promoted from the quarterbacks coach position,

“We didn't start off the way we wanted to start off obviously, and once we kind of settled in, we were dealing with the injuries on the offensive line. We just need to do a better job of getting started,” Loggains said.

The drops, turnovers and penalties all played a role in things as the Titans offense did not look any sharper on Sunday than it did in struggling last week in Jacksonville, which led to Chris Palmer's dismissal.

“We have to be more disciplined. Penalties, those can't happen. They're dumb mistakes,” Loggains said.

Asked if the six turnovers, six sacks and four costly penalties were frustrating, Loggains said no. He instead, praised quarterback Jake Locker, whose was under duress for much of the day.

“I'm not frustrated. The thing that makes me proud is the way those guys competed, the way No. 10 (Jake Locker) put the thing on his shoulders. Early on, he was trying to press and make plays and make things perfect and not being himself, and once he settled down, you see his toughness and his ability to compete,” Loggains said.