Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered an ankle injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. And while Tannehill gamely re-entered the game, despite being carted off, reports after the game indicated that Tannehill’s season was likely over. Only, that may not be the case.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Friday that Tannehill underwent a procedure with the hopes of returning later in the regular season.
“Sources say Tannehill traveled to Birmingham, Ala. this week to undergo a tightrope surgical procedure on his injured ankle to give himself at least a chance at being on the field to help fight for Tennessee’s playoff lives. Tannehill was at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center, where Dr. Norman Waldrop, the foot-and-ankle specialist who is one of the nation’s experts on the procedure, operated on his high ankle sprain.”
Rapoport added that “While the recovery time for this type of procedure can vary, a best-case scenario can have a player back on the field in about three weeks, which is what gives Tannehill hope he can return for Week 18.”
The Week 18 game in question will put the Titans on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jared Stillman, a host on 102.5 The Game in Nashville, was excited. He tweeted “Tannehill could be back in Week 18?! #AnkleWatch”
Tannehill could be back in Week 18?! #AnkleWatch https://t.co/WUJrrMRLx9
— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) December 24, 2022
Titans fan Brandon Galloway and Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, meanwhile, both noted Tannehill’s toughness. Galloway tweeted “Respect. #17” while Dajani called Tannehill a “Literal warrior.”
Respect. #17 https://t.co/IFnEfcbJiS
— Brandon Galloway (@bg901) December 24, 2022
Literal warrior https://t.co/aiP8mFIppP
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) December 24, 2022
Tyler DeSena, a contributor for the Around The Block Network as well as Neptune Scoring, was already looking forward to the Week 18 matchup for the AFC South title.
“Ryan Tannehill. Trevor Lawrence. Week 18. For all the marbles. CAN’T. WAIT.”
Ryan Tannehill. Trevor Lawrence.
Week 18. For all the marbles.
CAN’T. WAIT. https://t.co/OAvoc1JhBT
— Tyler DeSena (@DeSenaSports) December 24, 2022
With their Week 16 win over the New York Jets on Thursday night, the Jaguars moved to 7-8, only one-half game behind the Titans for first place in the NFC South. The Titans will host the Houston Texans on Saturday, then the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17. Jacksonville, meanwhile, will be on the road against the Texans in Week 17. Then, Tennessee will be in Jacksonville in a Week 18 game that, in all likeliehood, will decide the AFC South champion.
[Ian Rapoport on NFL.com, Twitter]
