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Jake Locker to Return as Titans’ Starting QB Next Week

By Brandon C. Williams

Oct 5, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) rushes for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) rushes for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jake Locker’s return could be his final chance to prove he’s the Titans’ QB of the future.

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The offensively-challenged Tennessee Titans will get starting quarterback Jake Locker back in time for next week’s game against the Houston Texans.

Locker has not played the last two games since sustaining a thumb injury during the Titans’ 29-28 loss to the Browns on October 5. Tennessee’s offense has struggled since his absence, as backup Charlie Whitehurst has managed to deliver just 33 total points as a starter. Whitehurst threw two touchdown passes in Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Redskins, but Tennessee was held to just 236 total yards.

Tennessee entered Sunday ranked 29th in the NFL with just 17.3 points per game, while ranked 22nd in total offense with 334.3 yards per contest.

An unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, Locker has completed 58 percent of his passes for 764 yards and four touchdowns in four starts, while also throwing four interceptions. He has also rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

Staying healthy has been a challenge for Locker, who was the eighth overall pick of the 2011 draft. He has played in more than 10 games just once, appearing in 11 games during the 2012 season. The former University of Washington standout has played on only 27 games, having thrown for 4,738 yards and 26 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

Locker’s injury issues was a key reason why the Titans did not renew the fifth year of his contract this summer, leaving him in a show-me-something situation heading into the season. Rumors also abound that the Titans could go in the direction of rookie Zach Mettenberger, the team’s sixth round pick from LSU. Mettenberger has attempted five passes this season.

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