Matt Hasselbeck managed to return for one play on an emergency basis when Jake Locker was briefly knocked out of Sunday's 22-17 loss to New Orleans, but the veteran quarterback's left calf injury is cause for concern.
“I talked to the doctors and they gave me a couple of different opinions – one doctor, many opinions,” Hasselbeck said. “He was just laying out all the different scenarios and we don't really know anything until tomorrow after we get the results of the scan.”
Hasselbeck exited the game with 11:18 to play on an incomplete pass, trying to reach a tipped ball.
“It was a tipped ball, and the ball went straight up,” Hasselbeck said. “Those have been intercepted a couple of times this year, so I just tried to react real quick trying to get to it. I stepped back and I don't know if it was just soft or what. I just felt something kind of pop. I thought it was my Achilles, I was actually a little concerned. I'm happy that it's nothing that serious.”
He has an MRI scheduled for Monday, but when he returned briefly to fill in for Locker, he was limping badly as he left the field. Locker was drilled in the ribs by Tracy Porter on a blitz and down for a bit, but only had the wind knocked out of him.
At his postgame press conference, Hasselbeck's limp wasn't nearly as noticeable.
“It's probably just a strain,” he said. “Hopefully, it's not that bad. We're going to get an MRI in the morning and just see how bad it is.”
Other injuries
Hasselbeck wasn't the only player injured in the game for the Titans. Wide receiver Nate Washington had to be carried off the field after his 40-yard catch because his injured ankle acted up on him again. After the game during his postgame interview, Washington also said he was bothered by back spasms.
Rookie linebacker Akeem Ayers suffered a shoulder injury and did not return to the game.
Running back Javon Ringer had his hand x-rayed in the first half and did not return to the game either.
Also, linebacker Gerald McRath was on crutches after the game with what he said was a sprained left knee.
- Terry McCormick
- co-publiser of TitanInsider - Lions247