The Tennessee Titans’ lopsided victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars came at a cost.
Tight end Jonnu Smith suffered a knee injury in the first half of Thursday’s 30-9 romp and will miss the rest of the season, ESPN reported, citing a source.
Smith was not the only casualty for Tennessee in the game. Right tackle Jack Conklin injured his right knee and will be out a few weeks, the NFL Network reported.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Friday morning that he had no injury updates on three of his players, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Smith suffered a season-ending injury to his medial collateral ligament.
Smith was hurt on a 99-yard touchdown run by running back Derrick Henry and did not return to the game.
Although he did not have a catch against Jacksonville, Smith has taken on a bigger role in his second NFL season with all three of his touchdown catches coming in a four-game span in November.
A third-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, Smith has 20 catches for 258 yards for an average of 12.9 yards per reception. He had 18 catches during his rookie campaign.
Conklin suffered a torn ACL in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots in January and missed the first three games this season. His likely replacement will be Dennis Kelly.
Anthony Firkser, an undrafted free agent from Harvard, likely will see the most playing time at tight end going forward. Firkser had his fourth straight game with at least three catches, hauling in three receptions for 27 yards Thursday night.
Tennessee lost starting tight end Delanie Walker to a broken ankle in a season-opening 27-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Walker had been the Titans’ most productive receiving option, catching at least 60 passes in each of the past three seasons and earning Pro Bowl honors each time.
