Could Titans QB Ryan Tannehill become available after trade deadline?

Tennessee Titans veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered an ankle injury during this past Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in London and could remain sidelined through the Oct. 31 trade deadline. 

It's possible Tannehill has taken his last meaningful snap with Tennessee.

"The Titans are bracing to be without quarterback Ryan Tannehill because of his high right ankle sprain, possibly for a few weeks depending on how quickly he heals," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday. "This is the same ankle on which Tannehill suffered multiple ankle injuries last season, ultimately resulting in surgery and an IR stint late in the year. One source told me the current ankle issue is not believed to be as serious as the last but significant enough that he could miss time."

The Titans enter their Week 7 bye at 2-4 and have three road games next month: contests at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 2, at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 12 and at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 19. Depending on Tennessee's record whenever Tannehill is cleared from his latest injury, everyone involved may need to have serious conversations about what's best for the short- and long-term futures of the signal-caller and the club. 

Tannehill turned 35 years old this summer, is in the final season of his contract and shares a roster with 2022 third-round draft pick Malik Willis and 2023 second-round draft choice Will Levis. Fowler noted the Titans "are prepping" both backups ahead of the club's Week 8 home game against the Atlanta Falcons.

While it's possible neither Willis nor Levis is the answer at the sport's most important position for the Titans, the organization should want to get good looks at both players assuming Tennessee has no real shot of winning anything of note by the time Tannehill can play. 

As for Tannehill, he potentially could work out some mutual agreement with the Titans similar to how Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers parted ways last December. Tannehill could then sign for a contender such as the New York Jets if a competing club needs a proven veteran who isn't trying to rush back from a devastating injury months ahead of schedule for the season's final few weeks.