Patriots and Titans both dealing with quarterback uncertainty ahead of Week 9 matchup
The New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans both have their starting quarterbacks on the injury report to begin the week, ahead of their meeting in Nashville this Sunday.
As the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans prepare for their Week 9, both teams are facing uncertainty at the quarterback position. The starting quarterbacks for both teams were both listed on Wednesday’s injury report as limited.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (concussion) did practice, but was only on the field for 30 minutes according to head coach Jerod Mayo. May is believed to be in Phase 3 of the NFL’s Concussion Protocol, and would need to clear Phase 5 in order to be eligible to play on Sunday. Mayo told reporters on Wednesday Jacoby Brissett would get the start if Maye can’t go.
Meanwhile, Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) was limited as he works his way back from a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder that has cost him the last two games. “We’re going to try to get a feel for where he’s at with some rest, see how he feels throwing the ball, see how it looks,” Titans head coach Brian Callahan told reporters before Wednesday’s practice. “The more important part for Will right now will be not just today, but Thursday, Friday worth of days consecutively throwing — see how that goes. He feels good after the rest and some time off of throwing. So, we’ll see what it looks like as the week goes along.”
Both teams are banged up beyond the quarterback position as well. The Patriots have 16 players listed in total, including three who didn’t not participate in practice at all – left tackle Vederian Lowe (ankle/shoulder), defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (neck), and linebacker Christian Elliss (abdomen). Roy and Elliss’ injuries (as well as Lowe’s shoulder injury) are new, although Elliss did speak to the media after Sunday’s game.
13 other Patriots were listed as limited, including Maye. That includes new additions to the injury report in running back Antonio Gibson (toe) and linebacker Jahlani Tavai (back). Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (concussion) was back at practice but limited after missing all of last week.
Cornerback Alex Austin (ankle) also returned to practice on Wednesday. Austin has been on IR, and his return starts the clock for the Patriots to add him back to the active roster. They have 21 days to do so, or he becomes ineligible to play for the remainder of the year.
The Titans have 12 players listed on Wednesday’s injury report, with nine not participating. That group includes multiple starters like running back Tony Pollard (foot), wide receiver Calvin Ridley (shoulder), defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (rest), and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad). Running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) and cornerback Tre Avery (hamstring) were limited along with Levis.