Derrick Henry doubtful to play vs. Cowboys; Titans remaining cautious with more important Week 18 matchup
Head coach Mike Vrabel has his eyes on Week 18 vs. Jacksonville for the AFC South title
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel doesn't care much for your fantasy team this late in the season. He cares about making the playoffs.
Star running back Derrick Henry has been downgraded to doubtful for Thursday night's matchup between the Titans and Dallas Cowboys.
This news comes after Vrabel ruled eight players out for the game, including defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has been dealing with an ankle injury.
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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) gains long yardage after catching a pass during the second half of a game against the Green Bay Packers Nov. 17, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Tannehill is trying his best to be ready by Week 18 to face the Jacksonville Jaguars for what will determine the winner of the AFC South.
That Week 18 battle is why Vrabel is being extra cautious with his players this week. The Week 17 game against the Cowboys is meaningless for the Titans.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TEXANS SNAP 9-GAME LOSING STREAK WITH HUGE UPSET AGAINST TITANS ON ROAD
Their playoff fate will be decided in their final regular season game, but the Jaguars are thinking the same thing.
With Henry on the injury report with a hip injury, Vrabel and the Titans aren’t going to test anything when the game doesn’t have playoff implications.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry runs 29 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half of a game Oct. 30, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
After losing to the Houston Texans last week — their fifth straight loss — and Jacksonville defeating the New York Jets on the road, both teams are deadlocked at 7-8 on the season.
Even if the Titans lose and the Jaguars win this week, winning in Week 18 would send the Titans to the playoffs.
The Jaguars defeated the Titans in Week 14, so the head-to-head tiebreaker wouldn't matter. The next tiebreaker is division record. And if Jacksonville beats Houston this week, both teams will head into their Week 18 matchup with a 3-2 division record.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry listens to the national anthem as the team gets ready to face the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium in Nashville Nov 27, 2022. (George Walker IV/USA Today Sports)
The Titans seemed to have the division locked up until their losing streak began. It didn't help that the Jaguars won three straight, including an overtime thriller against the Cowboys at home.
Now both teams will be making sure their key guys — quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. among those for Jacksonville — will be ready to play next week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}As the reigning No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Titans would love to rectify their recent losing by beating the Jags and giving themselves a shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Rayshawn Jenkins of the Jacksonville Jaguars, left, hugs Trevor Lawrence on the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys at TIAA Bank Field Dec. 18, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
But with rookie Malik Willis struggling to lead the Titans' offense, Vrabel is hoping veteran starter Tannehill will be healthy enough to play.
Lawrence has been one of the best quarterbacks in football of late, showcasing a solid performance against the Jets that resulted in a 19-3 win. In just his second year, Lawrence is hoping to qualify for playoff football for the first time.
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This Week 18 matchup is win or go home, so the playoff atmosphere will be potent in Jacksonville.