NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are going to be without a pair of defensive starters, including standout tackle Jeffery Simmons, because of injuries for at least a week or two.
Interim coach Mike McCoy said Wednesday that cornerback L’Jarius Sneed will miss “some time” with a quadriceps injury and that Simmons is week to week after hurting a hamstring in this past Sunday’s 31-13 home loss to the New England Patriots.
Simmons is a three-time Pro Bowl selection as well as a team captain, and he leads the Titans with 4 1/2 sacks and eight tackles for loss this season.
Sneed, who finished last season on injured reserve, has 26 total tackles this year. Asked if heading to injured reserve is possible for Sneed, McCoy said: “We’ll evaluate that, and we’ll keep you posted as we go.”
The Titans (1-6) visit the Indianapolis Colts (6-1) this Sunday in an AFC South Division matchup. The Colts beat Tennessee in their first meeting of the regular-season series, winning 41-20 on Sept. 21 in Nashville.
The Titans also released 11-year NFL veteran receiver Tyler Lockett earlier Wednesday. Lockett came to Tennessee on a one-year deal, and he had just 10 catches for 70 yards and ranked eighth on the team in receptions.
“He’s a true pro, came in worked every day,” McCoy said. “But we parted ways.”
The Titans are already thin at receiver with Calvin Ridley still not practicing Wednesday after missing most of the past two games with an injured hamstring and Bryce Oliver having missed the past five with an injured knee.
Tennessee’s injury report had 11 players not practicing Wednesday, though right guard Kevin Zeitler, running back Tony Pollard, and outside linebacker Jihad Ward all got the day off to rest.
However, it also included outside linebacker Arden Key, who has missed the past two games with a quadriceps injury.