81 Jonnu Smith TE

Smith (knee) is still recovering from an MCL sprain and didn't participate in a recent throwing session with teammates, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official website reports.

Marcus Mariota (neck) organized the sessions with wide receivers Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe, Taywan Taylor, Darius Jennings and Cameron Batson, as well as reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt. The Titans' top options at tight end are both working their way back from season-ending injuries, with Smith coming off an MCL sprain and Delanie Walker rehabbing a broken ankle. It isn't clear if Walker will be available for offseason practices, but the Titans seemingly expect him to retain the starting job in his age-35 season. There's potential for Smith to gain a degree of fantasy relevance if Walker doesn't look like his old self or suffers another injury.

The Titans placed Smith (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Smith suffered a season-ending MCL injury in the Week 14 win over the Jaguars, but coach Mike Vrabel had maintained optimism as recently as Monday that the tight end could avoid such a fate. The Titans' decision to move Smith to IR a day later implies follow-up scans weren't as promising as the team had hoped. Smith should be ready to go for the start of the 2019 campaign, but a Tennessee squad already short on quality pass-catching options will now find itself down another key body for the final three contests of this season. Anthony Firkser and Luke Stocker are expected to handle most of the reps at tight end the rest of the way, with the former likely to see the greater involvement of the two in the passing game.

Coach Mike Vrabel said he's still waiting to find out if Smith (knee) has a shot to return this season, Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean reports.

Smith's MCL injury was previously reported as the season-ending variety, but the Titans apparently still have some hope he can return, even if it's only for Week 17 or a possible playoff run. The team will rely on Anthony Firkser as its top pass-catching tight end Week 15 against the Giants.

Smith (knee) was diagnosed Friday with a season-ending MCL injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The report doesn't specify if a playoff run would change the outlook; it's within the realm of possibility Smith could be ready for the postseason, given the recovery timetable of 2-to-4 weeks that often accompanies MCL injuries. With Smith sidelined for at least the remainder of the regular season, Tennessee will turn to some combination of Anthony Firkser, Luke Stocker and MyCole Pruitt at tight end. Stocker led the group with 39 snaps in Sunday's 31-9 win over the Jaguars, but Firkser is far more likely to contribute in the passing game, boasting 16 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown on just 16 targets this year.

Smith (knee) is out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Jaguars, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Smith was seemingly injured on Derrick Henry's 99-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The injury immediately appeared as though it could be serious, but tests on the knee will ultimately determine the severity in the near future. Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt stand in line to see additional tight end reps with Smith out.