NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said Vince Young needs season-ending surgery on his throwing hand. Not that being healthy would have kept the quarterback in the Titans’ starting lineup.
The team is placing Young on injured reserve within the next few days, but after his latest meltdown — throwing his pads into the stands — Fisher said Young wouldn’t have started Sunday against the Texans anyway.
Young saw a hand specialist Monday, and Fisher said team doctors recommended the surgery to repair Young’s torn flexor tendon in his right thumb. Fisher said he didn’t know — and didn’t sound as though he cared — if Young will get an outside opinion.
“He may want to get a second opinion. He may want to get two dozen opinions. Our doctor said for his position, it needs to be fixed,” Fisher said.
Rusty Smith replaced Young in Sunday’s loss to the Redskins and Fisher said the rookie from Florida Atlantic will start against Houston.
Giants lose receiver Nicks
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Hakeem Nicks, the Giants’ leading receiver in catches (62), receiving yards (800) and touchdowns (nine), will be sidelined at least three weeks after being treated for compartment syndrome in his lower right leg.
Nicks was hurt in Sunday’s 27-17 loss in Philadelphia. He experienced swelling in the area Monday and was taken to The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City to undergo a fasciotomy, an emergency procedure to relieve the pressure on nerves and blood vessels.
“You know that boxing movie where Rocky’s eyes are swollen and you got to cut the eye to relieve the pressure,” Dr. Victor Khabie said. “It’s kind of like that.”
Footnotes.
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has a sprained ankle, leaving his status for Sunday’s game against Carolina uncertain.
• Clinton Portis (groin) was scheduled for an MRI, while fellow Redskins running back Ryan Torain (hamstring) is a “longshot” to play Sunday against Minnesota, according to coach Mike Shanahan.
• Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour was fined $25,000 for hitting Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the helmet.
Denver Post wire services
