Titans defenders may return for playoffs

Titans defenders may return for playoffs
December 16
Tennessean
"Life without Albert Haynesworth hasn't been pretty for the Titans. Since 2004, they're 3-13 without him, including three consecutive losses last season.

Now the Titans are facing another stretch without their best defensive player. Haynesworth has a sprained left knee and will miss the final two games of the regular season, including Sunday's crucial clash with the Steelers at LP Field.

Coach Jeff Fisher called that good news on a day when he also announced defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch would have minor surgery to repair his injured groin.

"We're expected to have them both back for the playoffs,'' Fisher said Monday. "We were all very concerned about Albert's condition after the game. He has an MCL sprain and just an MCL sprain. That oftentimes is 10 days to two weeks, so there's no doubt in our mind that he'll be back.

"We sent Kyle off for some tests this morning and got the results back. Kyle will be undergoing a minor surgery to repair a muscle and the specialist has every reason to believe he also will be back for the playoffs."

Haynesworth was injured in the fourth quarter at Houston when he fell awkwardly and Texans tackle Duane Brown landed on his leg. An MRI on Haynesworth's left knee Monday confirmed the postgame diagnosis of a sprained medial collateral ligament.

The Titans (12-2) already clinched a playoff spot and a home game in the divisional round Jan. 10 or 11, but must beat the Steelers (11-3) to clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC.

Getting it done will be much harder without Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch, who both went to the Pro Bowl last season and had combined for 13 of Tennessee's 38 sacks this season.

Haynesworth has 75 tackles, 22 quarterback pressures and a team-leading 8.5 sacks.

"Any time he is not in there it is definitely a problem,'' safety Chris Hope said. "Our guys have come in and played well … but consistently without Albert Haynesworth it is definitely something we have to be concerned about.''

Vanden Bosch has missed four games because of his troublesome groin injury. He suffered a new groin injury in the Dec. 7 game against the Browns and missed the Texans game, so the Titans decided to send him to a specialist, Fisher said.

Rookie Jason Jones is expected to start in place of Haynesworth. Dave Ball and Jacob Ford have filled in for Vanden Bosch. Ball also can play tackle.

Rookie William Hayes will continue to get reps at defensive end, and the Titans are expected to call up another defensive lineman from their practice squad.

Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson is currently serving an NFL suspension and won't be back until the playoffs.

The Titans have "been OK" in past games without Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch, Fisher said."
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