Jake Locker is headed back to the Tennessee Titans' lineup -- far sooner than anyone could have predicted.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that, barring a late setback, the Titansexpect Locker to startSunday against the San Francisco 49ers, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking.
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If Locker plays, it would represent a fast-tracked recovery for the quarterback, who was carted off the field with knee and hip injuries suffered in a win over the New York Jets three weeks ago.
Locker won't be 100 percent, though. The original plan was for Locker to return after the team's Week 8 bye, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Saturday. But the Titans felt good enough early in the week to accelerate Locker's recovery timeline, Breer added.
We wonder how much a two-game Titans losing streak has come into play here. It's also fair to wonder if the team is taking an unnecessary risk with one of its most important properties.
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