It’s still unlikely that Titans quarterback Jake Locker returns this week.
But unlike previous weeks, there’s at least a chance.
Titans coach Mike Munchak wasn’t willing to declare his starter out this week, though he admitted it wasn’t likely he’d play this week. After injuring his hip and knee on Sept. 29, the plan has been to get through next week’s bye, with hopes of having him back on the field Nov. 3 against the Rams.
“I think there’s always a chance,” Munchak said, via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. “I don’t think we’re going to sit here [and say no] like in the first two weeks when we knew he wasn’t allowed to do football activities where you rule him out. We’re not going to rule him out until, . . .
“Again, it’s a process. The odds aren’t great by any means, but I think as you start to move forward in your rehab you just wait and see how it works out.”
Munchak said Locker would begin doing more football activities this week.
“I think the rest part and the light stuff is over and now he can get more into real football stuff,” Munchak said. “It’s a matter of seeing how quickly he progresses without pain.”
The real pain has been the last two starts with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who hasn’t looked good in two straight losses, spoiling much of the momentum the Titans built with a 3-1 start. If he continues down that path, being under .500 at their break would be a major hurdle for a team that plays enough defense to be competitive with most.