Matt Hasselbeck Expected to Start Sunday vs. Vikings

September 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Jake Locker is nursing a sore shoulder after taking a big hit from Glover Quin on Sunday, and it’s looking like he won’t be ready to play this week against the Vikings. So instead of Locker it will be grizzled veteran Matt Hasselbeck at QB for Tennessee. Naturally the Titans aren’t going to confirm any of this. You know how teams are about disclosing injuries before they have to.

Hasselbeck came into the game against Houston after Locker left and went 17-for-25 for 193 yards and 2 TDs, but he also threw two pick-sixes and lost a fumble. Mobility is an issue for the aging Hasselbeck so this figures to be a good game for the defensive line, who did some damage last week against Matthew Stafford and the Lions.

Overall the Titans have gotten off to a brutal start. After four games they’re 1-3 and all their losses have been by at least 21 points. And their one win was a flukey affair against Detroit where they scored a couple special teams touchdowns and saw the Lions blow a chance to tie in overtime when they couldn’t get a field goal off. The only good news for Tennessee Sunday was Chris Johnson running for 141 yards after averaging something like four inches per carry his first three games.

So, look for a liberal dose of Chris Johnson Sunday? I think that’s a fair guess.

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