Kenny Britt Injury: Latest News on Injured Titans Star

Tennessee Titans WR Kenny Britt will miss the rest of the season after tearing his MCL and ACL against the Denver Broncos Week 3.

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“Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt will undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee to repair multiple torn ligaments according to The Tennessean.

Britt entered Sunday's game against the Broncos as the AFC's leading receiver but left on a cart after he caught three passes for 18 yards. Britt caught a bubble screen and dodged a tackler, but in doing so twisted his knee and fell to the turf in a heap, losing the ball in the process,” according to CBS’ Staff.

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Britt was the Titans’ most productive skill player to begin the season. He was emerging as an elite superstar in his third season. He entered Week 3 with 14 receptions, 271 yards and three touchdowns.

This is a devastating loss to the Titans, who are a surprising 2-1 with two-straight victories against Baltimore and Denver at home. Matt Hasselbeck was able to rally the troops in the second half to pull out the victory without his No. 1 option.

Britt will now have to work to get back to the top of the world, which is exactly where he was heading prior to the injury.

We’ve seen players come back from this injury, but it is still a devastating injury and comes at a time when Britt was enjoying a breakout campaign.

It remains to be seen how it will affect him physically and mentally, but Titans fans know that he will put in the work to get back to this elite level.

Still, his loss will have a trickle-down effect on his teammates, fantasy owners and franchise.

How It Affects Matt Hasselbeck

It never feels good to lose your No. 1 option, especially one who was dominating the NFL. Hasselbeck still pulled together a fantastic outing against Denver’s injury-depleted defense. He tossed 311 yards and two scores in Week 3.

Do not expect the game to be as easy as it has been for Hasselbeck to begin the year. He benefited greatly from Britt’s ability to dominate cornerbacks, stretch the field and work the middle of the field.

Hasselbeck will now be forced to hold on to the ball longer in the pocket as he waits for inferior receivers to get open or down the field. Expect him to take more sacks, throw more interceptions as he forces the ball into tight spaces and rumble the rock from increased pass-rush.

How It Affects Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has been abysmal to begin the season with just 189 total yards from scrimmage through three contests. He has rushed for just 98 yards to open the season.

He is now the lone offensive option in Tennessee, which means he will receive all of the attention from the opposing defense. He has phenomenal speed and agility, but he will see eight defenders in the box as defenses stack to stop him.

He may not rush for many yards this season, but he is still an elite playmaker and will earn every cent of his new contract. Expect the Titans to use him as a receiver to get the ball in his hands as many times as possible in creative ways.

He is a force in the open space and will be used in the slot and as a primary safety blanket for Hasselbeck. The Titans started to split him out wide against Denver and will be there early and often this season. It’s not impossible to think he could catch 100 passes this year.

How it Affects Nate Washington

Nate Washington will be the new No. 1 target in Tennessee for Hasselbeck. He will be leaned on to be the true No. 1 WR, which he most certainly is not. Washington does not have the separation skills to beat No. 1 cornerbacks.

He put together an admirable Week 3 performance with a career-high eight receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown, but it is difficult to see him producing these numbers on a weekly basis.

He will now receive more double-teams than he’s ever seen before in his NFL career. He will dominate targets, as he received nine in Week 3, which means he will be a viable fantasy option. Unfortunately for Titans fans, he is not enough to take the team to where they want to go.

How It Affects Fantasy Owners

Fantasy owners need to pick up Nate Washington or Damian Williams if they still trust Hasselbeck to continue his career renaissance. Still, they won’t produce the same numbers Britt would have.

Britt was a legitimate fantasy WR1 who was generally selected in the middle of drafts as a fantasy WR2 or WR3. His absence will create a massive void in fantasy lineups.

Owners are lucky the injury occurred earlier in the season than later as there are still viable options to be picked up.

Fantasy owners should look to the likes of Oakland’s Denarius Moore, Chicago’s Dane Sanzenbacher, Cincinnati’s Andre Caldwell, Buffalo’s Donald Jones and David Nelson as deep sleepers that could emerge as viable WR3 or flex options.

For specific fantasy advice, feel free to ask in the comments section below.

How It Affects Jake Locker

Jake Locker, barring injury to Hasslebeck, is not expected to take the field in 2011. Still, Britt’s season-ending injury will have a negative effect on the perceived franchise QB. If Locker were able to step on the field in a year or two with an established elite stud, his transition to the NFL would be much easier.

A superstar WR can take immense pressure off a young signal-caller, but now Britt will have to rehab and work his way back to the top of the mountain he was so close to reaching this season.

Britt’s injury will slow the development of Locker, who has had trouble with accuracy. Britt has great size and leaping ability, but it remains to be seen how his vertical leap will be affected by this devastating injury. He may not be able to haul in inaccurate passes from Locker due to a decrease in radius.

How It Affects Tennessee Titans’ Playoff Pursuit

Tennessee is currently shocking the world at 2-1 and tied for the AFC South division lead. Nobody gave them an opportunity to make the playoffs, but they are currently on pace to do just that.

Unfortunately for Titans fans, the loss of Britt will prove preseason non-believers right. The Titans will not make the playoffs with Britt sidelined for the season.

His ability to stretch the field as Hasselbeck’s primary deep threat, but also serve as the primary possession receiver, will prove to be too great for his teammates to overcome. He was a one-man wrecking crew as a wide receiver and will force the Titans to a losing record the rest of the season.