BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was forced to leave the team’s season finale Sunday in Jacksonville after suffering a right shoulder injury during a touchdown run, casting a somber note over what had been another productive outing for the rookie signal-caller.
Ward was injured when he was driven into the turf by Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun at the end of a scoring play. The quarterback remained on the ground briefly and appeared shaken as he slowly got to his feet before being escorted to the Titans’ medical tent for evaluation. After several minutes, Ward exited the tent and walked into a nearby tunnel opposite the team’s locker room, a route typically used to access the stadium’s imaging facilities at EverBank Stadium.
The Titans initially listed Ward as questionable to return, but the designation was short-lived. A few minutes later, the team announced that he would not return to the game, ending his afternoon and bringing his regular season to an early close.
Veteran backup Brandon Allen took over on the ensuing possession. Allen, a journeyman quarterback and former sixth-round draft pick by Jacksonville in 2016, had not seen game action for Tennessee earlier this season. Ward’s exit marked the first time all year that the rookie had missed snaps, underscoring both his durability and importance to the Titans’ offense throughout the campaign.
The injury interrupted what has been a milestone season for Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and a cornerstone of the franchise’s rebuilding efforts. He entered the finale holding the Titans’ franchise rookie record for passing yards with 3,117, a total that already placed him among the most productive first-year quarterbacks in team history. Ward needed 271 yards on Sunday to break into the top 10 for a single season by any Titans quarterback.
Before leaving the game, Ward continued a strong late-season stretch. He had thrown two touchdown passes in each of the previous four games, providing consistency and optimism for a team evaluating its future. His ability to extend plays and contribute as a runner, while an asset all season, ultimately led to the hit that sidelined him in the finale.
The Titans did not immediately provide further details on the severity of Ward’s shoulder injury following the game. With the regular season complete, attention will now turn to medical evaluations and the long-term outlook for the young quarterback as the franchise prepares for the offseason.
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