Titans Place CB Tye Smith On IR

The Titans’ cornerback depth took a hit today. The team announced that they’ve placed Tye Smith on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. The team also waived/injured defensive lineman Claude Pelon. The Titans signed defensive linemen Johnny Maxey and Du’Vonta Lampkin to take the open roster spots.

Smith, a 2015 fourth-round pick, had a breakout season for the Titans in 2017. The cornerback finished the campaign with 19 tackles, one interception, and one pass defended in 15 games (one start). The 25-year-old also started the team’s two playoff games, totaling seven tackles.

The Towson product was expected to play an important depth role behind Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, and Adoree’ Jackson in 2018. The injury means former fifth-rounder LeShaun Sims will likely slide in as the team’s fourth cornerback, although the Titans will also give a look at Kalan Reed and Demontre Hurst.

Pelon, a former undrafted free agent out of USC, spent the first two seasons of his career with the Jets organization, compiling a pair of tackles in one game. He signed with the Titans last week. Now, the team will hope that one of Maxey or Lampkin can make up for the lost depth, at least during the preseason. Maxey, 24, previously spent time with the Steelers. Lampkin, 21, spent time with the Ravens after going undrafted out of Oklahoma in this past year’s draft.

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