Friday Injury Report: Three Big Names Won't Play Sunday

Injuries will keep Jurrell Casey, Delanie Walker and Ben Jones on the sidelines against the Panthers

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans will be without three prominent players Sunday when they face the Carolina Panthers.

Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, tight end Delanie Walker and center Ben Jones were ruled out Friday due to injuries. Casey sustained a shoulder injury on the game-saving fourth-down stop last Sunday against Tampa Bay. Walker will miss a second straight contest because of issues pertaining to the ankle injury that sidelined him for virtually all of 2018. Jones has a concussion that will end his streaks of 120 straight games played (he has never missed a game in his NFL career) and 86 consecutive starts.

Casey and Walker have made multiple Pro Bowl appearances in recent seasons.

Casey has 21 quarterback pressures, which accounts for 25 percent of the defense’s total, in addition to 35 tackles, most among the Titans’ defensive linemen. He also two sacks, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, including one in the final minute that preserved a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Walker is the Titans’ fourth-leading receiver with 21 catches for 215 yards. He has two touchdown receptions.

Jones is one of offensive linemen who have started every game for Tennessee (4-4) this season. One of the other two, left guard Rodger Saffold, cleared the concussion protocol this week and will be available to play against the Panthers (4-3).

Without Casey, more will be expected of first-round draft pick Jeffery Simmons, who has played two games since his recovery from offseason knee surgery. Simmons has 10 tackles, one sack and four quarterback pressures.

Jonnu Smith had the best game of his NFL career (six receptions, 78 yards, one touchdown) last Sunday against Tampa Bay with Walker out of action. He will maintain a significant role in the offense this week.

Jamil Douglas, who has logged snaps at both guard positions and center in the first eight games (he started at right guard in Weeks 1-4), is expected to start for Jones.

The complete Titans-Panthers injury report for Friday:

TENNESSEE

Sunday status

Out: Jurrell Casey, DT (shoulder); Ben Jones, C (concussion); and Delanie Walker, TE (ankle).

Questionable: Chris Milton, CB (ankle).

Others

Limited participation: Harold Landry, OLB (shoulder).

Full participation: Jayon Brown, OLB (groin); Malcolm Butler, CB (hamstring); Adoreé Jackson, CB (foot); Sharif Finch, OLB (shoulder); Rodger Saffold, G (concussion) and Cameron Wake, OLB (not injury related).

CAROLINA

Sunday status

Out: Greg Little, T (concussion) and Cam Newton, QB (foot).

Questionable: Mario Addison, LB (not injury related); Curtis Samuel, WR (shoulder) and Christian Miller, LB (ankle).

Others

Full participation: Brian Burns, LB (wrist); Vernon Butler, DT (hip); Christian McCaffery, RB (knee); Gerald McCoy, DT (knee); Eric Reid, S (shoulder); Shaq Thompson, LB (ankle) and Jarius Wright, WR (ankle).