The Tennessee Titans have a long list of problems, but that might not seem so extreme this week.
That’s because the opponent is the Carolina Panthers. The teams meet Sunday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.
The Titans (3-7) have lost three games in a row (all on the road), winning only once since the first day of October.
“The attitude is that we all have to do a little bit more,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said.
The Panthers (1-9) aren’t set to make wholesale lineup changes despite possessing the worst record in the NFL, with coach Frank Reich attempting to exercise patience.
“Trust your guys, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Reich said. “Be patient and believe.”
Reich seems undeterred publicly about questions regarding his job security in his first season as Carolina’s head coach. The losing record is troublesome enough.
“Just keep working, put your head down and focus on your work,” he said. “So I don’t think that’s a distraction during the week.”
The Panthers won’t get any relief from the injury report. The offensive line took a hit with right guard Austin Corbett lost for the season with a knee injury stemming from last Sunday’s game against Dallas. He was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.
They’ll also be without tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion), safety Jeremy Chinn (quadriceps) and linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) who have all been ruled out. Two more players, cornerbacks C.J. Henderson and Jaycee Horn are doubtful, while safety Sam Franklin Jr., linebacker Marquis Haynes and linebacker Frankie Luvu are questionable.
Both teams will start rookie quarterbacks in Bryce Young of the Panthers and Will Levis of the Titans. Young was taken No. 1 overall in last spring’s draft and Levis went in the second round (No. 33 overall).
Pass protection has been a concern for the Panthers. They might continue to move Young from taking snaps under center and into the shotgun formation.
“It was really fun watching him, comparing myself to the other quarterbacks in the draft class,” Levis said of Young. “He did some great things on Saturdays, and he has been doing some great things on Sundays.”
The goal for the Titans is to get more work for running back Derrick Henry, who is averaging less than 16 carries per game while rushing for 663 yards.
“There’s a process of being able to get him those carries,” Vrabel said. “We’ve got to help him out. There’s some room (to run) and sometimes there’s not. It’s about the volume of plays. The efficiency has to be there. The drives have to be there. If we’re able to do that, then Derrick can impact the game.”
Titans receiver Treylon Burks (concussion) and tackle Chris Hubbard (biceps) have both been ruled out, while safety Terrell Edmunds (shoulder) and linebacker Luke Gifford (shin) are questionable.
Tennessee cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting is hoping to be back from a thumb injury. He practiced in full on Friday.
“I would love to be able to get back and help as much as I can,” he said.
Murphy-Bunting is aware that Young has developed some good vibes with receiver Adam Thielen, who rates fourth in the league with 76 catches and 15th with 726 receiving yards.
“He trusts Thielen, a guy that he relies on a lot,” Murphy-Bunting said.
Titans guard Calvin Throckmorton was picked up off waivers from the Panthers on Nov. 15.
Carolina cornerback Dicaprio Bootle, who had been filling in as a starter, went on IR with a knee injury.
The Panthers and Titans have split six all-time meetings. Carolina won in one of two previous visits to Nashville.
–Field Level Media
