SPORTS

Titans may be on verge of yet another starting tackle

John Glennon
jglennon@tennessean.com
Titans tackle Terren Jones

The Titans have already started five different players at the two offensive tackle spots this season.

They may add to that total Sunday against the Jets at LP Field (3:05 p.m., WTVF-5, 104.5-FM).

With right tackle Michael Oher (toe) and backup Byron Stingily (ankle) both battling injuries, the Titans might wind up with Terren Jones (signed last week off Baltimore's practice squad) or Jamon Meredith (signed as a free agent earlier this week) as a starter on Sunday.

"You think back to five or six months ago when we drafted (tackle Taylor Lewan) and everyone was like, 'Why'd you draft him? You've got tackles,' " coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Now he's down and we've gone through three or four other guys. So it's been crazy that way."

Lewan, who's battling an ankle injury, replaced Michael Roos (knee) as a starter in the sixth game of the season. Will Svitek has started the last two games at left tackle.

In addition to the drop-off in talent, the regular shuffling of tackles has also impacted the way the offensive linemen gel.

"The important thing with an offensive line is those guys playing together because they develop continuity and chemistry," Whisenhunt said. "When you lose guys, you lose part of that. All these stunts and double teams you work on during the course of months, and all those reps, that goes out the window. Now you're working with a guy who has been here for two days. The physical part of it is what it is, but a big piece of it is the communication part of it."