After a Familiar Injury, a Familiar Face is Ready to Return

The Tennessee Titans' latest defeat, 19-16 in overtime against the Houston Texans, was surprisingly similar to their previous one, two weeks earlier against the Indianapolis Colts. ... This loss officially eliminated them from playoff contention and left them with a 5-9 record, which guarantees a second straight losing season. ... For the second time this season, the Titans' starting quarterback sustained a high ankle sprain. The first time it happened, rookie Will Levis stepped in for Ryan Tannehill and ultimately supplanted Tannehill as the full-time starter. Now, Levis is hurt, and Tannehill is poised to step in and play in place of Levis. ... Once again, second-year quarterback Malik Willis appears to have merited little if any consideration as the starter. That makes it seem increasingly that the end of Willis' time in Tennessee is rapidly approaching. ... Levis was injured when he was sacked for the seventh time by the Texans' defense, a play that capped another forgettable performance for the offensive line. ... Likewise, that line did nothing to help running back Derrick Henry, who endured roughly his worst day as a pro. The question as Henry nears the end of his current contract is whether age finally caught up with him or if he simply has been victimized by sub-par blocking during his eighth NFL season. ... Henry and Tannehill are among the Titans' most prominent players who are set to become free agents this offseason. But it is a member of the defense who looks like one player franchise officials should do all they can to re-sign. ... The Seattle Seahawks come to town Sunday fresh off a big, come-from-behind victory on Monday night, just as the Titans did a week earlier. Is there any reason that Tennessee can do to Seattle as Houston did to Tennessee?