NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans could have not one, not two, but three starting offensive linemen out against the Texans on Sunday.
Center Brian Schwenke (torn MCL in his left knee) is on injured reserve. Left tackle Taylor Lewan (high ankle sprain) didn’t practice Wednesday and it seems unlikely he’ll recover well enough or fast enough to play.
And right tackle Michael Oher was out Wednesday with a boot on his left foot to help a case of turf toe that’s been an issue for a couple weeks and was made worse by the Philadelphia game. Oher indicated the toe also has “something a little bit different” going on.
He hopes to play.
“I pride myself on being there and helping the team,” Oher said.
In talking about the toe, he revealed he suffered a partial tear of his upper biceps in Week 2 of the preseason when the Titans played at New Orleans.
At that point in time, with a healthy Michael Roos at left tackle, I think the Titans would have moved Lewan into the lineup if Oher’s arm injury rated as significant.
As for this week, the Titans are facing the Texans' J.J. Watt and it’s a huge threat to their immobile rookie quarterback, Zach Mettenberger.
Byron Stingily is the alternate at left tackle, Chris Spencer is now the starting center and Will Svitek is the backup to Oher.
“We don’t know for sure who’s going to line up there Sunday right now,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “We’ll work through the week, see how it progresses and somebody will be out there.”
Stingily has played some this year as a tackle-eligible with six linemen on the field, and he finished up for Lewan against the Eagles.
Stingily in his fourth season and started the final two games of 2012 and 2013 at right tackle. He said he’ll simply need to find a comfortable stance in order to play the left side.
“I’m a strong person, but I if I could just be more technique-sound, I’ll be good out there,” Stingily said. “I’m ready to go if he’s not up.”
Whisenhunt said it’s too simple to think the Titans can simply live in max-protect mode every snap in Houston.
“It’s an easy thing to say; everybody wants to say that,” Whisenhunt said. “But if you keep eight guys in and only have two guys out and they’re covered up, everybody wants to know why you couldn’t throw it down the field.”