Ryan Tannehill carted off field in London game vs Ravens, questionable to return

A scary situation is developing with Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Midway through the fourth quarter of his team’s game in London, he was carted off the field with an ankle injury.

As Tannehill was shown getting on the cart, The NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl reported that he was headed to the X-ray room.

“Rich, Ryan Tannehill is standing here because he’s actually waiting for the cart to come and collect him. His tunnel is on the opposite side of the stadium from the X-ray room. I know that unfortunately, because this is the tunnel Matt Milano had to exit to last week when he needed X-rays. So the cart is pulling up for Tannehill.”

Just before that, Erdahl confirmed on Twitter that it was the right ankle sidelining Tannehill.

“Ryan Tannehill officially questionable to return to this game — 4th quarter — with a right ankle issue. Been in a lot of pain.”

With the Titans starter out for now and seemingly out for the rest of the game, backup quarterback Malik Willis came into the game.

Backup QB spot a major storyline for Titans

Given that the 35-year-old Tannehill missed the final three games of last season, Titans coach Mike Vrabel knew in the preseason how important having a quality backup would be — and one who is ready to go in at a moment’s notice.

They drafted Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and hit the quarterback pool again in 2023 when they selected the biggest faller in the draft cycle, Kentucky’s Will Levis, in the second round.

However, Levis was dealing with a leg injury the last two preseason games back in August. He’s just now back and working with the offense in practice. Meanwhile, Willis received the majority of the snaps in those games.

Back before naming Willis as QB2, Vrabel explained the progress he wanted to see with each guy as the season began.

“I think a lot of it is based on the gameplan,” Vrabel told reporters. “How we feel like who can step in there and help us. Will’s been out a little bit but we’re excited to get them back this week. And continue with Malik’s maturity. And kind of see where it goes at the end of the week.”

Willis came in against the Ravens and gave the Titans a spark as they drove down the field late to make a comeback effort in the final minutes of the fourt. Ultimately, they needed an onside kick to keep a sliver of hope alive and failed to with under 40 ticks to play to lose 24-16.