The Titans moved on from a pair of linebackers today. The team announced that they’ve waived linebackers Ola Adeniyi and Joe Schobert.
Adeniyi joined the Titans prior to the 2021 campaign. During his first season in Tennessee, the linebacker collected 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks while playing a role on both defense and special teams. After re-signing with the organization this past offseason, the 25-year-old got into two games before being sidelined with a neck injury. He was activated for Week 13 but was a healthy scratch for Week 14, an indication that his spot on the roster could be at risk.
Schobert, a former Pro Bowler with the Browns, joined the Titans’ practice squad in late September. He was signed to the active roster in mid-November and got into six games (one start) for his new squad, compiling 16 tackles.
The Titans added pass rusher Tarell Basham last week and immediately threw him into the fire, with the 28-year-old logging 26 defensive snaps. With Zach Cunningham eyeing a return from injured reserve, pass-rushing snaps were clearly drying up, leading to today’s moves.
Tennessee has elevated practice squad linebacker Joe Schobert and wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick to make up for the loss of Cunningham and Burks, respectively. Dupree and Hooker’s absences will likely mean more playing time for second-year linebacker Rashad Weaver and backup safeties Joshua Kalu and Ugo Amadi. Amadi has some starting experience from his time with the Seahawks.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the AFC, starting with a division rival of the Titans:
Last year’s first-round draft pick for the Colts, pass rusher Kwity Paye, was carted off the field during this Thursday’s win over the Broncos. Indianapolis believes Paye suffered a high ankle sprain based off of the initial evaluations, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Paye was expected to undergo an MRI yesterday to determine the severity of the injury and detail a timeline for his return, but no word has been reported as of yet. In Paye’s absence, and with backup defensive end Tyquan Lewis also dealing with injuries, the Colts will have to rely on backups Ifeadi Odenigbo, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Ben Banogu.
September 23rd, 2022 at 2:03pm CST by Sam Robinson
As the Titans prepare for a matchup between 0-2 teams coming off playoff appearances, their Raiders tilt will not include Taylor Lewan or Bud Dupree. Tennessee ruled out both starters for Week 3.
Lewan’s absence is not especially surprising, but it certainly will sting a Titans offense that already moved on from two 2021 O-line starters — including veteran guard Rodger Saffold — this offseason. Lewan went down with a knee injury on the first play of Monday night’s loss to the Bills. Mike Vrabel said this week Dupree’s injury was not expected to keep him out in the long term, but the veteran pass rusher will miss at least one game.
The Lewan injury concerns a bit more due to it being the same knee on which he underwent surgery in 2020. Lewan missed 11 games in 2020 because of an ACL tear on his right knee. He returned for Week 1 of the 2021 season and played 13 games, but the 31-year-old blocker’s status may be up in the air for the near future.
While Vrabel offered a timetable for Dupree, he did not answer a question regarding Lewan’s timeline Friday. Lewan remains on Tennessee’s 53-man roster. The three-time Pro Bowl left tackle’s $16MM-per-year deal runs through 2023. Dennis Daley, whom the Titans acquired from the Panthers just before their roster cutdown to 53, is set to start at left tackle. Daley replaced Lewan on Monday and spent much of his 2019 rookie season as the Panthers’ blindside starter.
On its own, Dupree’s hip injury would not concern quite as much. But the Titans are without Harold Landry (ACL) for the season. Dupree, who joined Lewan in suffering an ACL tear in 2020, also battled back to start in Week 1 last year. But the ex-Steelers first-rounder missed six games in 2021 as well. The $16.5MM-per-year pass rusher will miss more time now.
Tennessee will also be without auxiliary pass rusher Ola Adeniyi, who started in Week 1 and came off the bench against the Bills. Despite their mounting injury issues at edge rusher, the Titans opted not to promote Takkarist McKinley from their practice squad this week. That led to the Rams poaching him.
Teams have until March 17 to extend tender offers to their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents. . Some teams are already making their calls in advance of March 17. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:
