Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill ‘is OUT for the rest of the regular season’ after ankle surgery

Ryan Tannehill’s season is likely done for the 7-7 Tennessee Titans after the 34-year-old quarterback underwent surgery to repair a high right ankle sprain this week, according to ESPN.

Tannehill won’t return in the regular season, and isn’t expected to play for coach Mike Vrabel’s team even if the Titans do qualify for the postseason.

Rookie quarterback Malik Willis will get the nod under center for Saturday’s game against the visiting Houston Texans.

Ryan Tannehill (17) exits the field due to an injury during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday

Rookie quarterback Malik Willis will get the nod under center for Saturday’s game against the visiting Houston Texans

Team spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for confirmation.

Tannehill was carted off the field on Sunday after when Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack landed on his right foot during the Titans’ first offensive drive. Tennessee would go on to lose, 17-14, pushing the team’s losing skid to four games.

Because they play in the miserable AFC South, the Titans have their playoff fate in their own hands with three games remaining.

Tannehill’s future with the team is far from certain. Next season is the last on his four-year, $118 million contract, and it’s not fully guaranteed, according to ESPN. That gives the Titans some flexibility to save as much as $27 million in cap space by releasing Tannehill if they feel they can compete with Willis or another quarterback next season.

The team could also sign Tannehill to a back-loaded extension, which could create immediate cap space heading into free agency.

The Titans face the Houston Texas (1-12-1) on Saturday in Nashville and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 before closing the regular season on the road against their division rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In his fourth season with the Titans, Tannehill has passed for 2,536 yards and just 13 touchdowns, while relinquishing just six interceptions.

Tannehill was carted off the field on Sunday after when Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack landed on his right foot during the Titans’ first offensive drive. Tennessee would go on to lose, 17-14, pushing the team’s losing skid to four games