Jake Locker Carted Off Field

Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Jake Locker was carted off the field Sunday with a right hip injury.

The injury could not come at a worse time for the very promising Titans. Jake Locker landed awkwardly on his right leg after a hit by New York Jets defensive end Muhammed Wilkerson. He couldn’t get up under his own weight, and laid on his back until the Titans’ medical staff tended to him.

Before his injury, Jake Locker was having his best game in the NFL. He was 18 of 24 for 149 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Tennessee was up 24-6 on the Jets.

Former Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Locker.

Fitzpatrick, you may remember, led the Bills to a 5-2 start in 2011, earning a six-year, $59 million contract. His production rapidly declined, and he was released following the 2012 season.

Jake Locker, now in his third NFL season, was finally showing signs of being a franchise quarterback. He led the Titans to an upset victory over the Steelers to start the season, then barely lost to the Houston Texans in week two.

Unfortunately, Jake Locker also has a long injury history, mostly with his shoulders. The right hip injury is new, and incredibly unfortunate.

The chances Ryan Fitzpatrick usurps Jake Locker’s job are slim though. Locker’s status was not in question, like Brandon Weeden or Josh Freeman’s were. Both of those quarterbacks will likely ride the bench the rest of the year.

Are you worried Jake Locker had to be carted off the field? Will they be okay with Ryan Fitzpatrick?

[image via Wikimedia Commons]