REPORT: Ryan Tannehill's High Ankle Sprain Will Not Require Surgery per ESPN's Jeff Darlington
The Tennessee Titans saw their starting quarterback go down with injury during their Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and it felt very similar to the injury Ryan Tannehill suffered in 2022. That is because it was.
According to head coach Mike Vrabel on Monday, the injury was similar to what Tannehill experienced in 2022 when he first injured the ankle in Week 7. We got a report from ESPN's Turron Davenport and Jeremy Fowler that confirmed the injury was a high ankle sprain on the same ankle he injured last year, his right.
We got additional reporting from ESPN's Jeff Darlington on Tuesday that Tannehill's injury, while being to his surgically-repaired ankle, will not require additional surgery to repair. Something the report called "overall good news."
While this report gives the indication Tannehill could return sooner than later, it seems unlikely Tannehill will be ready to play in Week 8 after the bye. This will give an opportunity to the Titans' young passers in Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis.
The Titans sit at 2-4 though now, with a lesser quarterback, regardless of who plays in Tannehill's stead, at the helm. Tannehill missed two games last season after the first injury, but if he were to come back in, let's say, a month, the Titans could realistically be 2-7 and at that point, what would be the point of playing a 35-year old veteran on the last year of his contract?
There is a very good chance this injury could be the end of Tannehill's career. At some point, the Titans have to also consider Tannehill's health. Multiple ankle injuries and a decade of beatings is enough, but behind this offensive line, Tannehill could be in serious trouble if he returns.
The younger quarterbacks are just that, younger. They are more durable, and most importantly, mobile. Willis and Levis both have youthful movement that gives them a better chance of surviving behind this pass protection. Also, developing them and seeing what you might have in the future has to matter.
Vrabel did say in Monday's press conference though that Tannehill would be the starter, if healthy, but the Titans' circumstances and Tannehill's timeline for return should certainly factor into that decision.
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