Tennessee Titans are finally protecting Ryan Tannehill. Here's how it's impacting the passing game

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill doesn't mind breaking in a new group of receivers, but he'd rather not do it while spending time on the ground.

Tannehill was the second-most sacked quarterback in the NFL in 2021, and that was when he had receivers A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, Chester Rogers and Anthony Firkser in his arsenal.

That group caught 158 passes from Tannehill, but Tannehill still was sacked 47 times.

All four of those players are gone, yet the passing game has shown steady improvement. Much of that likely has to do with Tannehill being kept upright.

As the Titans (1-2) prepare for Sunday's game (Fox, noon CT) at Indianapolis (1-1-1), Tannehill has only been sacked four times through three games and only once in two of them (the opener against the New York Giants and last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders.)

MORE: The 2022 Tennessee Titans will go as far as Ryan Tannehill is able to take them | Estes

TAYLOR LEWAN OUT: Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury

CATCHING ON: Derrick Henry is catching more passes giving Titans' opponents more to worry about

He was sacked an average of 2.8 times each game last season.

"Our guys have been doing a good job of giving me some time; we put a lot of focus and attention on it throughout the offseason," Tannehill said. "It's really a full unit thing. It's the blocking up front, it's myself getting the ball out and the receivers winning in a quick time so that the ball can come out. I'm really proud of our guys and happy to see some of the spring and training camp work pay off."

The line's ability to protect Tannehill has come as much of a surprise as his receiver's ability to get open. Veteran tackle Taylor Lewan was lost after suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against Buffalo. Reserve lineman Dennis Daley, acquired in a September trade with the Carolina Panthers, stepped in for Lewan.

Earlier this week, the Titans signed offensive lineman Le'Raven Clark off the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad and placed him on the 53-man roster.

So it hasn't been the most stable unit in terms of personnel but has somehow managed to give Tannehill time in the pocket.

"The main goal for us is to try and make sure that we protect Tannehill," right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere said. "Making sure that we clean the pocket up. That was something we emphasized coming into this year. For me I'm just coming into this but I think that we're all really working well together as a unit right now."

Titans coach Mike Vrabel has closely monitored the progress being made by Tannehill and his blend of old and new receivers and has liked what he's seen at times. Vrabel was disappointed by an interception Tannehill threw against the Raiders but did not blame that on the protection.

"We've had some favorable plays and we've had some passes that we'd like to have back," Vrabel said. "We'll keep improving. There were some really nice things that we did (Sunday). Unfortunately Ryan threw the interception but there were some X (receiver) plays in there, there were some times when we picked up some big third down conversions. We're just looking for consistency. We're looking for great quarterback play and making sure Ryan's executing our offense and the guys are helping him out being where they need to be."

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is one receiver who was around last year when Tannehill spent so much time running for his life. Westbrook-Ikhine has noticed a big difference in the manner in which the ball has been delivered.

"It's been great," Westbrook-Ikhine said. "Obviously, to be able to throw the ball Ryan's got to have a clean pocket and not be getting hit so he can be accurate. It takes all of it in the run game and in the pass game. As long as those big guys are holding up upfront it allows us to run our routes and get open."

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans are finally protecting Ryan Tannehill. Is it helping?