NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans 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 Houston 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. Young was injured late in the third quarter of Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss to Washington.

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, No. 2 on the depth chart on Sunday, replaced Young in the game and Fisher said the rookie will start against Houston. Smith is a sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic, and the Titans are bringing in Chris Simms to back up Smith. Kerry Collins is the No. 3 quarterback for now, but is expected to start once his strained left calf heals enough for him to play.

After tossing his pads, Young had a heated exchange with Fisher in the locker room following the loss, then bolted the stadium.

Asked Monday if he was tempted to release Young, Fisher said no.

"He's got an injury. We put him on injured reserve," Fisher said.