The Tennessee Titans romped at home over the sloppy New York Jets Sunday by a score of 38-13, improving to 3-1 on the season. Still, they weren't jumping for joy because they may have lost starting quarterback Jake Locker for the rest of the season.
In the third quarter Locker was whacked after throwing a pass by Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, then rammed on the other side by Quinton Coples bending his right leg awkwardly.
Watch Locker's hip injury here.
Locker went down in a heap, clutching his right hip immediately and with urgency. Fullback Collin Mooney described the injury from his vantage point on the field to USA Today.
"I could tell he was in pain. He was wincing," Mooney said. "The first thing he asked was, 'Did he catch the ball?' That's Jake for you."
Wide receiver Damian Williams, who caught five passes for 53 yards, said the team was pretty somber despite a blowout win.
"It is definitely bittersweet," Williams said. "Obviously you have to enjoy the win. It is the first time we've performed like this together, offensively and defensively. But when your general goes down, when your captain goes down, it is definitely tough for the team. We're all praying and hoping for the best."
Wilkerson defended his hit; he was booed for injuring Locker and some questioned why a penalty wasn't called. "It was a clean hit," Wilkerson said. "If it was late the ref would have thrown a flag. They didn't throw a flag."
Locker was removed from the field on a cart, and although initial MRI results are not yet known, tests done at the stadium did not indicate his hip popped out of the join, according to Titans head coach Mike Munchak.
Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick filled in admirably for Locker, connecting on a 77-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington and finishing the day 3-for-8 for 108 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
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