The Tennessee Titans routed the Jets last night 38-13 at home, but that win felt a little empty after Titans quarterback Jake Locker went out with an injury. Locker was hurt just a few minutes into the third quarter and had to be carted off the field and transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Titans QB Jake Locker has been taken to the hospital for further tests on his hip that led him to be carted off.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2013
After trying to throw a pass, Locker was hit by Jets player Muhammad Wilkerson and then hit by Quinton Coples. Locker went down grabbing at his right hip and was eventually carted off the field. While being evaluated on the field, the fans began chanting for Locker, saying “Jake, Jake, Jake.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPwIfaAOT_U
“I could tell he was in pain. He was wincing,” said fullback Collin Mooney. “The first thing he asked was, ‘Did he catch the ball?’ That’s Jake for you.”
Despite the obvious loss to the Titans’ offense, the Titans didn’t let that obstacle stand in the way of holding onto the lead and finishing the game. The Titans put up two more scores in the fourth quarter, giving them a 25-point victory over the New York Jets. That large margin of a victory would be certainly be something to celebrate over any other time, but many of the Titans players found it a little harder to enjoy given the situation.
“It is definitely bittersweet,” wide receiver Damian 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.”
Chris Johnson on Locker: "He was out there doing great…Any time your leader on offense goes down, it takes a lot of people to step up."
— Tennessee Titans (@TennesseeTitans) September 29, 2013
Jake Locker’s injury, which certainly scared fans and teammates alike, may not be as serious as some originally thought. Titans head coach Mike Munchak said that Locker didn’t go to the hospital for an emergency surgery, but to get the hip checked out. Munchak also said that from initial reports, it didn’t look like Locker’s hip popped out of its socket, so hopefully for the Titans, Locker won’t be out for long.
Locker was not going to hospital to have emergency surgery. He was going to get checked out, Munchak said
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 29, 2013
Munchak said the initial look at Locker's injury didn't show the hip had popped out
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 29, 2013