NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have only one real choice after losing the NFL's rushing leader in Derrick Henry to a broken right foot.
“Keep moving,” Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said Wednesday. “We have to keep moving forward as a team, as an offense, and find a way to continue to play our football and play good.”
For the first time since becoming Tennessee’s starting quarterback in mid-October 2019, the pressure will be on Tannehill to deliver in the Titans’ passing game. And his first shot without Henry comes Sunday night in Los Angeles against the Rams (7-1) and three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the year Aaron Donald.
“I want to do whatever it takes to win,” Tannehill said. “If that is throwing the ball more, then it is throwing the ball more. If that is running the ball more, then it is running the ball more. I just love winning football games. Whatever it takes to win and give our team the best chance to win, that is what I will do.”
The Titans (6-2)
Henry had carried much of the offense
Tannehill is 26-12 since becoming Tennessee's starting quarterback. He just led the Titans to a 12th comeback when trailing in the fourth quarter or overtime with the
He threw for 3,819 yards last season with a career-high 33 TD passes. This season, Tannehill has topped 300 yards only once this season. Tennessee ranks only 21st in the NFL, averaging 229.5 yards passing per game.
“His toughness, his understanding of our offense and what we are trying to do each and every week has been good,” coach Mike Vrabel said of Tannehill. “It can always improve. We have a lot of things to work on.”
The passing game isn't what was expected after the Titans traded for seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones in June, pairing him with 2020 Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown.
Both receivers have dealt with hamstring issues this season. Jones has missed three games, including last week's win over the Colts. He has 17 catches and 301 yards receiving and is still looking for his first TD this season after officials overturned a catch at the back of the end zone in Seattle.
Brown has had his two best games over the past two weeks, and he caught a season-high 10 passes for 155 yards and a TD in Indianapolis.
Peterson got on the field Wednesday for the first time since signing with Tennessee's practice squad Tuesday. The Titans went through a walk-through, but Tannehill thinks Peterson's run style fits their offense as a physical, downhill runner.
Tannehill also doesn't expect the Tennessee offense to change much without Henry. Making the offense go means just playing for the quarterback.
“I don’t think you have to overthink it a lot,” Tannehill said. “Just continue to prepare to win a football game and make the plays that come up within the frame of what we are trying to accomplish offensively.”
NOTES: Jones was limited Wednesday by his hamstring. RG Nate Davis (concussion), DT Jeffery Simmons (ankle), LB Rashaan Evans (ankle), CBs Greg Mabin (ankle) and Chris Jackson (foot) did not practice. DL Teair Tart (groin), OLB Bud Dupree (knee) and OT Kendall Lamm (back) were limited.
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