Tennessee Titans Quarterback Jake Locker Cleared for Contact, On Track to Start Against Miami Dolphins

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker has missed the team's last five games with a sprained left (non-throwing) shoulder. However, he has now been cleared for contact and Titans head coach Mike Munchak has said that, barring any setbacks, Locker will return to his starting role this weekend against the Miami Dolphins.

"If things keep progressing on Wednesday, he'll share the reps with Matt (Hasselbeck) as we go in Wednesday and Thursday," Munchak said Tuesday night. "And we'll make a decision on where he's at. If we feel he is ready to go, we'll give him a chance to play."

The switch back to Locker comes a week after the Titans lost 51-20 to the Chicago Bears.

Locker has 781 yards on 67-for-106 passing (63.2% completions) with four touchdowns and two interceptions in the four games he has played this year.

The second year quarterback practiced with the first team yesterday. If he is able to play on Sunday, the game will feature the eighth overall pick from the last two NFL Drafts facing off at quarterback. The Titans selected Locker in that spot in 2011, while the Dolphins selected Ryan Tannehill eighth overall this year.

The Titans are currently 3-6 on the season, and will be looking to get Locker as many game reps as possible this season in preparation for next year.