Aug 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; NFL: Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE
Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Jake Locker was named the team’s starting quarterback and a team captain but he is now injured. Locker was hurt on the same play as wide receiver Nate Washington who was clobbered by Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo. Washington was hit high and dropped the ball after falling to the ground.
Washington appeared to be knocked unconscious on the play.
Patriots safety Patrick Chung scooped up what was ruled a fumble before bolting back into Titans territory and being tackled by Locker. Locker fell awkwardly on his shoulder and instantly grabbed the arm in pain.
Luckily for the Titans, Washington left the field under his own power and Locker is warming up his shoulder on the sideline. The Titans appear to have dodged a bullet.
The play was eventually ruled an incompletion and was essentially meaningless. It would have been horrible to see Washington or Locker significantly hurt on a play that should have been blown dead by the replacement refs. This is a perfect example of why the NFL can use the case for player safety to get a new deal done with the regular officials.
The regular officials may not have gotten the call right either and the end result could have been the same but the chances that the call would have been correct would have been much greater with the real officials. As a result, the likelihood of injuries to Washington or Locker would have been much less.
