Report: Titans Will Start Rookie QB Zach Mettenberger In Week 8

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that the Titans will start rookie QB Zach Mettenberger in Week 8’s game against the Houston Texans.

• Ian Rapoport confirms the report and adds that Mettenberger took an increased number of snaps on today’s practice.
• Wyatt mentions that this could be the beginning of the end for quarterback Jake Locker in Tennessee as he continues to deal with injuries and will be an unrestricted free agent next year.
• According to Adam Caplan, the fact that Mettenberger had a good understanding of the team’s offense played into this decision.

Earlier in the week, HC Ken Whisenhunt told reporters that Locker would regain the starting job once he was healthy, but there have been plenty of indications that they could be ready to go in a different direction and continue developing their young talent.

Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday night that the Titans could trade veteran WR Nate Washington and they already sent LB Akeem Ayers to the Patriots on Tuesday.

We’ll have to see how the rookie does against the Texans before having a better idea of whether he’ll be able to retain the job once Locker is 100 percent healthy.