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          NFL Nation

          Titans teammates rally around QB Ryan Tannehill after right foot injury

          • Turron Davenport, ESPNOct 25, 2022, 09:00 AM
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              Turron Davenport covers the Tennessee Titans for ESPN. Turron is a former collegiate football player at Cheyney University and is a native of Philadelphia, and he has authored/co-authored four books. You can catch Turron on ESPN Radio on his show "Talking with TD" and you can follow him on Twitter: @TDavenport_NFL.
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          NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill limped away from his postgame press conference with a walking boot on his right foot Sunday afternoon, the physical effects of a hard-fought win against the Indianapolis Colts were evident.

          Tannehill posted an underwhelming line, completing 13 of 20 pass attempts for just 132 yards, but his toughness is what mattered most.

          "I know he's one of the toughest guys on the team," center Ben Jones said. "A lot of quarterbacks don't get that role. He's that guy for us. He's a leader. We lay our hat on and we love that guy."

          The Colts sacked Tannehill twice while landing numerous hits on him, one of which came as he completed a three-yard pass to Mason Kinsey in the fourth quarter.

          Tannehill tried to get up and walk it off but had to take a seat on the field as the trainers ran out to tend to him.

          "When I got up, I realized I was going to need a little bit of time," Tannehill said. "More than 10 seconds to get back in the huddle and get ready for the next one. I knew I wasn't going to be able to play on the next snap effectively. So, I had to go back down and reset."

          Rookie backup quarterback Malik Willis came in and handed the ball off to running back Dontrell Hilliard to set up Randy Bullock's 38-yard field goal to make the score 16-10.

          Tannehill said his foot got rolled up on by one of the Colts' defenders. A quick trip to the blue tent for "some evaluation and a little tape job and just trying to get right" allowed Tannehill to get back on the next series.

          Desperately clinging to a 16-10 lead later in the fourth, the Titans faced a 3rd-and-6 on their 44-yard line. Tannehill was clearly hobbled by the injured ankle but managed to escape pressure in the pocket and deliver a strike to tight end Austin Hooper in the middle of the field for a 19-yard gain to move the chains.

          Bullock kicked a 48-yard field goal four plays later to give Tennessee a 19-10 lead. Even though the Titans' offense failed to score a touchdown against Indianapolis, Tannehill's performance had an impact on the defense.

          "Tannehill is probably the toughest quarterback in this league," defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said. "He gets hit and he's right back up like it ain't nothing."

          The trademark toughness that Tannehill has become known for in the Titans locker room dates back to his days at Big Spring, Texas when he moved to wide receiver just to be able to contribute after a shoulder injury kept him from playing quarterback.

          The former Pro Bowler has been a rock for the Titans since taking over as the starter in Week 7 of the 2019 season, after which he was named Comeback Player of the Year. He's made 49 consecutive starts since.

          The extent of his injury hasn't been disclosed, but Tannehill said he intends to work his way into playing the next game. Through six games, he has only 1,097 passing yards and six touchdown passes.

          The Titans travel to NRG Stadium to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Titans are 4-2 and sit alone atop the AFC South.

          "I'm going to be out there if I can at all, if at all possible. I’m going to do everything I can this week to get it right," Tannehill said.