The latest injury to Jake Locker landed the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback on injured reserve Monday, most likely ending his time with the franchise that drafted him in the first round with great expectations.

Locker injured his left shoulder and would be limited to merely handing the ball off to running backs based on medical evaluations, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Locker started against the Jets but couldn’t finish the 16-11 loss, which is effectively the curtain call for his failed time as the purported franchise quarterback in Nashville.

Rookie sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger had taken over the offense but could not suit up Sunday because of his own shoulder injury.

With a short week ahead, the Titans will gauge Mettenberger’s readiness for Thursday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The more likely scenario is Charlie Whitehurst starting. As insurance, the Titans signed another journeyman backup, Jordan Palmer, on Monday and will attempt to get him up to speed in the offense.