Titans’ Locker to have more tests on injured right thumb

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans quarterback Jake Locker will have more tests on his injured right thumb on Monday.

And coach Ken Whisenhunt also said veteran safety Bernard Pollard may have hurt his Achilles tendon late in 29-28 loss to Cleveland on Sunday.

Locker called his latest injury frustrating after leaving and watching the Titans blow their biggest lead in this franchise’s regular-season history.

He watched the second half on the sideline wearing only a long-sleeved T-shirt with some white tape around his wrist.

He apparently was hurt when hitting his hand on the helmet of Browns cornerback Buster Skrine, and he immediately signaled first down after being hit.

But Locker then went to the sideline where a team doctor examined his right wrist and thumb before he went to the locker room.

“I was excited about getting a first down, and I went to do something, felt it and looked down and it was swollen up pretty good already,” Locker said. “Tried to move it, see if I could grab a ball. Really wasn’t able to at that point.”

Whisenhunt said the Titans had quite a few other injuries.

Pollard hurt his right leg and was on crutches in the locker room after the game. He limped off the field after the Browns’ go-ahead touchdown with 1:09 left.

Titans tight end Craig Stevens hurt his thigh early and didn’t return. Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh started in place of Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who’s recovering from a concussion, and he hurt a knee ligament.

Locker missed last week’s 41-14 loss at Indianapolis with an injured right wrist. That was his 15th game out of 36 he has missed because of injuries since becoming Tennessee’s starter.

“I don’t know exactly what happened or what the prognosis is from today,” Whisenhunt said of Locker.

The Titans quarterback was playing well when he left. Locker was 8 of 11 for 79 yards and a TD, and he also had 34 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Browns defensive end Phil Taylor hurt a knee in the first half and didn’t return.