Nate Washington should be able to play a full set of snaps and rookie cornerback Ryan Mouton should make his debut as a punt returner, but the biggest piece of good news for Titans fans is the health of rookie tight end Jared Cook.Cook missed the Steelers' game with a foot injury, but Tennessee is ready to unveil it's secret weapon against the the Texans. He's got the speed of a wide receiver and the size of a tight end. And before he injured his foot in the preseason, he showed that he actually has an idea of how to use that size and speed.
"I don't know one linebacker (in the NFL) that can cover him," cornerback Nick Harper said, "let alone one that can run with him."Cook established himself as a physical freak when he lit up the NFL Combine. But the concerns about Cook's blocking ability explained why he fell to the third round. The Titans liked him enough to trade up for him, and they've quickly found that he's even better than they expected.
As the Tennessean points out, it wouldn't be that shocking to see Cook have the same kind of impact this week that rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt had last week.
Cook's return comes at the perfect time because Bo Scaife, the Titans' top tight end, hyperextended his knee in the loss to the Steelers. Second-string tight end Alge Crumpler is no longer a threat to beat anyone deep, as his once-impressive deep speed has disappeared as he's grown to the size of a small offensive tackle. Cook will give the Texans match-up problems in the passing game if Tennessee can cover up his pass-blocking deficiencies.
