Injuries Leave Defense Shorthanded

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans will likely be with out 4 key members of their protection Sunday towards the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Coach Mike Vrabel on Friday dominated out defensive lineman Denico Autry (knee), inside linebacker David Lengthy (hamstring), and cornerbacks Kristian Fulton (groin) and Tre Avery (concussion). Additionally dominated out have been receivers Treylon Burks (concussion) and C.J. Board (rib).

Autry will miss his third straight sport after struggling his damage within the Titans’ win at Inexperienced Bay on Nov. 17. Regardless of the time he’s missed, Autry nonetheless leads the staff in sacks (seven) and quarterback pressures (35).

Lengthy has performed all 12 video games for the Titans, and he leads the staff in tackles (86), tackles for loss (seven) and interceptions (two). His absence additionally means the Titans will likely be with out their defensive play-caller, a task that may very well be stuffed by fellow inside linebacker Dylan Cole.

“The subsequent man needs to be able to go,” Vrabel mentioned Friday.

Fulton, the staff’s prime cornerback, was injured final Sunday within the loss to Philadelphia when he collided with A.J. Brown on a on a go route that changed into a landing. He has 5 passes defensed, the second-best complete among the many staff’s defensive backs.

Avery really leads the Titans with six passes defensed. The undrafted free agent rookie has seen his taking part in time enhance of late – as Avery acquired 20 snaps towards Inexperienced Bay, 18 towards Cincinnati and 59 towards the Eagles.

Compounding the problems within the secondary is the truth that slot nook Elijah Molden went on injured reserve earlier this week.

So who will likely be taking part in cornerback for the Titans towards Jacksonville? Roger McCreary and Terrance Mitchell presumably are the starters. Greg Mabin, who has performed twice this season for the Titans, may very well be elevated from the staff’s observe squad.

As well as, the Titans signed cornerback John Reid off the Atlanta Falcons’ observe squad earlier this week. Reid has performed 24 NFL video games over the previous two seasons, beginning three. He has 25 tackles and three passes defensed.

“I believe he can play inside and outdoors,” Vrabel mentioned. “The place we’re at, you’re going to must be keen to play a pair locations.”

The Titans added one other defender this week, edge rusher Tarell Basham. A 3rd-round choose of the Colts in 2017, Basham has performed 77 NFL video games, beginning 18. Basham posted 3.5 sacks for the New York Jets in 2020, 3.5 sacks for the Cowboys in 2021.

Vrabel mentioned he favored the progress of each Reid and Basham this week.

“(They have been) good,” Vrabel mentioned. “There’s going to be plenty of issues that they’re going to must perhaps not be part of, simply from the quantity standpoint. However the preliminary stuff — the first- and second-down stuff, and the bottom stuff – (they have been) good.”