The Sports Xchange

Tennessee Titans center Brian Schwenke will be placed on injured reserve after being diagnosed with a dislocated ankle in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Blocking downfield on a 9-yard run by running back Bishop Sankey in the second quarter of the 38-10 loss, Schwenke was hit from behind by a Miami defender and fell forward. Carts quickly came on the field as trainers attended to the third-year player.

Schwenke was overwhelmed by well-wishes Sunday night after the season-ending injury.

“The support and positive words from all the friends, family and fans are helping in this tough time,” Schwenke said via text to the team’s website. “I want nothing more than to be playing alongside my teammates.”

Rookie Andy Gallik replaced Schwenke against Miami and likely will continue in that role this week against sthe Atlanta Falcons.

Meanwhile, the Titans are having tests done on rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota’s knee.

Mariota took a beating on Sunday, absorbing five sacks to raise his season total to 19 and playing most of the game with an injured knee as the result of a late hit by defensive end Olivier Vernon in the second quarter.

“I think it was B.S.,” Tennessee coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Vernon’s low hit, which drew a roughing-the-passer flag. “It’s not the way you play football. I think it was done with the idea of trying to hurt our quarterback.”

Mariota said Vernon approached him after the game to apologize for the play.

“I don’t think it was malicious,” Mariota said.

Vernon said he is not “a dirty player.”

“I know one thing — it wasn’t intentional,” Vernon said. “I’ve never been a dirty player in my whole career. … Nobody tries to get personal fouls. I know one thing, they are expensive.”