WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

December 13, 2018 at 12:54 am.

–The Titans put tight end Jonnu Smith on injured reserve with a reported MCL injury to his knee. Smith’s role had increased this season after Delanie Walker was lost with a broken fibula in the season opener. And while Smith started slowly and was barely part of the offense for the first half of the season, his play improved as the year went on. He had 20 catches for 258 yards and three touchdowns.

Smith was injured on running back Derrick Henry’s 99-yard touchdown run against Jacksonville and had to be helped off the field.

With Smith now out, the Titans will further divide the tight end role, with Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt taking on bigger roles, while Luke Stocker will continue to handle the blocking tight end spot. Head coach Mike Vrabel professed faith to handle the role.

“Losing Delanie (Walker); that group has a good little bond. I watch them practice and improve,” Vrabel said. “Jonnu (Smith) and Luke (Stocker); MyCole (Pruitt) is a guy that I was familiar with in Houston, then (Anthony) Firkser we had, but I think that they’ve all gotten better and tried to find a little niche in our offense. With that being said, MyCole is going to get more opportunity. Firkser is going to get more opportunity.”

–The Titans also lost starting right tackle Jack Conklin, whose season ended as well after Thursday night’s win over Jacksonville. Conklin was seen limping with a left knee injury, the same one he had ACL surgery on in January following a playoff loss to New England.

Conklin had his ups and downs this season coming off surgery and learning a new zone blocking scheme installed by Matt LaFleur. He missed all of the offseason work and training camp and finally returned to action in Week 4 this season from the ACL injury.

With Conklin out, the Titans will turn back to reliable backup Dennis Kelly, who has proven to be a valuable commodity providing depth on the offensive line.

“Dennis (Kelly) has been that guy on either side, that if we needed a guy to come in and play well, he’s done it. He deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done through the last couple of years, stepping up and coming in when his number is called,” quarterback Marcus Mariota said. “It’s a privilege to be able to have that.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 16 – Tight end Anthony Firkser has been targeted with 16 passes this season and has caught all 16 of them.