Another Issue Arises on Offensive Line

NASHVILLE – News on the Tennessee Titans’ injury front – and the offensive front – went from bad to worse Saturday.

Right tackle Jack Conklin was added to the injury report with an illness. His status for Sunday’s game at Carolina is questionable.

Additionally, the Titans ruled out special teamer Chris Milton because of an ankle injury. Milton, who was listed as questionable on Friday, has missed the last three games yet remains tied with three others for the team lead in special teams tackles (four).

Conklin’s situation potentially creates another issue for an offensive line that won’t have starting center Ben Jones, who has been ruled out with a concussion.

Jones’ absence ensures Tennessee (4-4) will have its third different starting combination on the offensive line this season. Only three linemen have started every game this season. Jones and Conklin are two of the three.

If Conklin can’t go, things will get even more hectic.

Jamil Douglas is expected to start at center. Douglas started the first four games at right guard and in the last two weeks has played at both guard spots and center in relief. A fourth-round pick by Miami in 2015, he had made six starts, including two at center, in four seasons prior to this one.

The obvious choice to replace Conklin, if necessary, is Dennis Kelly, who started the first four games at left tackle. Two weeks ago, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelly played the majority of the game at right tackle after Conklin sustained a thigh injury in the first quarter.

A first-round draft pick in 2016, Conklin missed seven games last season due to injuries. Tennessee went 5-2 in those contests.

Jones has never missed a game in his NFL career, which started when the Houston Texans selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He signed with the Titans as a free agent in 2016 and has started every game up until now.

Tennessee (4-4) and Carolina (4-3) play Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

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