NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- An already difficult Tennessee Titans challenge got a lot tougher this week due to injuries to cornerbacks Logan Ryan and LeShaun Sims.
The Titans announced Friday that Sims (hamstring) would be placed on injured reserve. Ryan (ankle) didn't practice all week, which usually is a sign that he won't play, but the Titans are listing him as questionable, holding out hope that he could push and play.
Ryan, the Titans' No. 1 cornerback who suffered an ankle injury last week at San Francisco, has been a key cog in improving a young secondary. Sims, the Titans' No. 3 cornerback, was placed on injured reserve Friday after suffering a hamstring injury this week in practice.
This appears to be a big boost for Rams quarterback Jared Goff and his trio of receivers in Cooper Kupp, Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. The Rams like to spread defenses and they will certainly try the Titans' new cornerbacks. All of the Rams' receivers should see a boost in their expectations for fantasy football purposes.
Ryan's toughness and urge to play can't be discounted, but Titans coach Mike Mularkey noted playing cornerback with an ankle injury isn't ideal. It's looking like an uphill battle for Ryan to try to give it a go.
"It's not like other positions, where an ankle you don't need as much," Mularkey said.
The Titans don't have a ton of depth at cornerback, so losing two of their top three in a crucial point of the playoff race is significant.
Veteran Brice McCain, who specializes in working out of the slot, will likely step into a starter role opposite Adoree' Jackson. Tye Smith and Kalan Reed, two younger cornerbacks who have combined for five defensive snaps this season, will be counted on to step up and play Sunday.
Friday, the Titans re-signed Demontre Hurst, who spent the offseason and training camp with the team, but he's unlikely to play much defense versus the Rams. A versatile safety like Curtis Riley, and possibly Kevin Byard, could line up at cornerback, too, if needed.
"It's an opportunity for everybody to get their name out there and ball out," McCain said. "Let everybody around the league know who you are."