Tennessee
Malone Eyes Career Turnaround with Titans
NASHVILLE – Josh Malone’s telephone was ringing final season. The issue was that no one known as a second time.
Groups needed to speak to him and take a look at him. However that was so far as issues went.
After 4 seasons within the NFL, subsequently, the vast receiver spent 2021 out of motion. Lower by the New York Jets late within the preseason, he bought alternatives to indicate what he may do, however no staff noticed match so as to add him to their roster.
“I used to be getting exercises,” Malone stated. “It’s simply the chance wasn’t there on the time. I simply needed to maintain my head up, maintain working and simply look forward to the following alternative.”
It lastly got here in February. The Tennessee Titans – one of many groups that hosted him for a exercise final season – signed him precisely one month after their playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and introduced him with a possibility to earn a job.
His probabilities at a regular-season roster spot bought higher when Julio Jones was launched in March and A.J. Brown was traded in April. The consequence was that the 26-year-old who attended highschool in Gallatin, Tenn., a brief drive from downtown Nashville, at present ranks as one of many extra skilled and productive receivers on the offseason roster.
A fourth-round choose by Cincinnati out of the College of Tennessee in 2017, Malone has 11 profession receptions with one landing in 26 contests. Minimal although it’s, that’s nonetheless extra manufacturing than nearly all of the 12 vast receivers at present below contract with the Titans, half of whom are rookies or first-year gamers.
“I like the chance,” Malone stated. “Touchdown right here, you recognize, it’s simply destiny. I had the chance to work out for them earlier within the season earlier than. Fortunately, I used to be blessed sufficient to get a possibility with this group. I simply wish to make the most of it.”
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Even earlier than final season, Malone’s profession was not precisely trending in the best route.
In 11 video games (seven begins) as a rookie with the Bengals, he caught six passes for 63 yards. Over the following three seasons, he performed in simply 15 contests and caught 5 passes. Cincinnati reduce him simply earlier than the beginning of his third season. He spent nearly all of 2019 and 2020 as a member of the Jets’ apply squad.
Then got here final season, when he was out of labor however showcasing himself in virtually weekly exercises.
“It’s nerve-wracking,” Malone stated. “It’s irritating. However it’s all about perspective. It’s all about simply persevering with to do what you do to organize your self for the following alternative and to be prepared for it every time the chance comes.
“… Simply maintain combating. Simply get in the best state of affairs, and simply make the most of the best alternative.”
He hopes that’s what he has discovered with Tennessee. As of proper now, he doesn’t contemplate it an opportunity to begin over however as an opportunity to show issues round and get again on observe.
“To get a possibility like this, you don’t wish to take it with no consideration,” Malone stated. “It’s actually a blessing.
“… I wouldn’t say it’s a re-start. I’d say it’s simply persevering with on the trail that this profession has set out for me on this journey.”
John Campbell Jr. will enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Tennessee offensive lineman, who began his career at Miami before playing the last two seasons with the Vols, declared for the draft on Saturday night.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
Campbell made the announce on his Instagram.
“I am could not be more proud to be a Volunteer and a Hurricane,” Campbell penned in the post. “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent both programs…With sincere gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Campbell was a four-star prospect out of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida in the 2018 class when he signed with Miami.
After red-shirting his freshman year, Campbell played in 11 games for the Hurricanes in 2019 and in seven games with four starts as a redshirt sophomore in 2020 before leg surgery sidelined him for the 2021 season.
With a medical redshirt, Campbell played one more season at Miami in 2022 and then transferred to Tennessee ahead of the 2023 season. He initially played at left tackle, earning a starting spot there but missed the last three games with injury.
After the Vols brought in LSU transfer Lance Heard, Campbell moved to right tackle in 2024, starting in 13 games and playing 500 snaps. He earned an position grade of 48.3, according to Pro Football Focus.
Campbell is one of a number of veteran players that Tennessee will lose off of its offensive line from this season. Fifth-year seniors in center Cooper Mays and guard Javontez Spraggins are out of eligibility.
Tennessee added former Arizona guard Wendell Moe out of the transfer portal and signed five-star tackle David Sanders in its 2025 recruiting class, who will compete for Campbell’s vacant spot in the spring.
The Tennesseee Titans have ruled out starting running back Tony Pollard for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
The #Titans downgraded RB Tony Pollard to out for Sunday vs. Jacksonville.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 28, 2024
Pollard was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report due to an ankle injury, but according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he planned to play through it. Rather, his absence stems from him dealing with the flu, which will reportedly prevent him from travelling with the team on Saturday.
#Titans RB Tony Pollard has the flu, jeopardizing his status for Sunday at Jacksonville, per source. He is not expected to travel with the team today. He was on the injury report with an ankle issue but had planned to play through that.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 28, 2024
After arriving from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, Pollard has enjoyed a solid first season in the Music City. In 15 games, the 27-year-old has rushed for 1,017 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He’s also been a decent check-down option with 41 receptions for 238 yards.
With Pollard sidelined, the Titans will look for second-year back Tyjae Spears to carry the load in the backfield. The former Tulane star has had a disappointing sophomore season, rushing for 217 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 3.4 yards per carry, so the Titans will hope to get him going before the season ends.
Joshua Kelley, who hasn’t played for Tennessee since his arrival in late October, could also get some looks as well.
The Titans and Jaguars kick off from EverBank Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
The Tennessee Titans continue to play out the string of the 2024 season with Sunday’s Week 17 game at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tennessee’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis last Sunday was the team’s fourth straight defeat, the last three against teams with a losing record.
Jacksonville (3-12) was one of those losses, with the Jaguars winning 10-6 on Dec. 8 in Nashville. Mac Jones continues to be the team’s starting quarterback as it sputters to the finish.
Here’s how The Tennessean’s experts pick Sunday’s Week 17 NFL game:
Titans vs. Jaguars picks
Nick Suss, Titans beat reporter
Titans 27, Jaguars 13
Yes, it’s a little bit crazy to think these Titans can beat anyone by 14 points. But look: They had ample opportunities to beat Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago. The Titans’ offense has looked better in the red zone these past two weeks, and if they can actually finish off some of the drives they stalled in last time, this should be a winnable game.
Gentry Estes, columnist
Jaguars 17, Titans 10
The Jags may not have much, but their pass rushers were a problem for the Titans last time. No reason to expect that’ll be any different.
Nick Gray, trending reporter
Jaguars 6, Titans 3
Nothing would surprise me, except a clean, flawless Titans victory.
Tom Kreager, sports director
Jaguars 28, Titans 17
Titans are doing their part to help themselves with their 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick.
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