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Tennessee Titans News & Rumors

NFL Injury Updates: Harbaugh, Jones, Gray

October 13th, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Ely Allen

The Chargers experienced a strange scare during today’s win over the division-rival Broncos when head coach Jim Harbaugh left the field for a short period due to what was reported as “illness.” According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Harbaugh informed reporters that he went to the locker room to deal with an atrial flutter episode.

AJ Ross of NFL on CBS spoke with Harbaugh, who told her “he was dealing with arrhythmia…something he’s been dealing with on and off for a while.” If that’s the case, it’s likely something his employers were aware of, prompting the team to have a plan in place for situations like today.

The heart episode appears to be a non-issue for now, as Harbaugh returned to the sideline and continued coaching his team to victory. That said, if the issue persists, Harbaugh’s presence on the sideline may not be guaranteed moving forward. If the new head coach continues to miss any game time, the Chargers will need to make sure their order of operations behind Harbaugh is effective.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • Vikings running back Aaron Jones left last weekend’s win over the Jets early with a hip injury. According to Schefter, Jones is going to be week-to-week because of the hip issue. Luckily for Minnesota, the team had a bye in Week 6, allowing their veteran rusher to rest for a little over a week. He reportedly avoided major injury, but his practice report this week will show just how lucky he was.
  • Titans rookie linebacker Cedric Gray was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week. Tennessee has no plans to rush the 24-year-old back from IR, though, as Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com reports that the team plans to utilize most of Gray’s 21-day practice window before activating him. There’s always a chance that Gray is not able to return after the 21 days and is returned to IR for the remainder of the year.

Titans Place S Jamal Adams On NFI List

October 12th, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Ely Allen

The Titans seemingly bolstered their secondary in the offseason with three headline-grabbing additions. While starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and starting safety Quandre Diggs have mostly lived up to the hype as contributors, veteran safety Jamal Adams has failed to make an impact, appearing in just 20 snaps this season including a one-snap appearance in Week 4 following a Week 3 start.

While it’s not clear whether or not injury has been a factor in Adams’ lack of presence on the defense so far, injury will seemingly be a factor in his future absence. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Adams has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list with a hip issue. He will now sit out, at least, the Titans’ next four games.

ESPN’s Turron Davenport brings additional color to the situation, reporting that Adams has reportedly “been frustrated by the lack of playing time” in Tennessee. After not playing in Week 1, Adams appeared in two defensive snaps in his Week 2 debut with the Titans. He got the start the following week but still only played 17 defensive snaps. Following that up with only one snap in Week 4 seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

According to Davenport, Adams felt he could truly contribute to the Titans defensive unit, even if it wasn’t in a starting role. Regardless of whether or not he was coming off the bench, Adams “just wanted a chance to help the team.”

This certainly isn’t the first time we’ve seen Adams at odds with his employer. His notorious breakup with the Jets is well-documented, and part of his split with Seattle was due to unhappiness in his role, most notably that they asked him to transition to linebacker. The “non-football” part of his injury designation raises eyebrows as it implies that he will miss time for something that occurred off the field. It will be interesting to see what details are revealed as reporting on the situation continues.

For now, though, it appears the new marriage between Adams and Tennessee could be in trouble. Between a non-football injury causing him to miss time and his public displeasure with his playing time, it’s hard to imagine a long, happy union in the two parties’ futures.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/24

October 12th, 2024 at 8:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions, including practice squad callups for Week 6:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/9/24

October 9th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Jets

Tennessee Titans

Wilson is a former collegiate basketball player who played for two years apiece at Idaho and Oregon State. He transitioned to football, transferring to Washington State for three years, appearing in 12 games in 2022 at right and left tackle. He then played in 13 basketball games for the Cougars before transferring to Minnesota and transitioning back to basketball for his final year of collegiate eligibility.

Titans Bring Back QB Trevor Siemian

October 9th, 2024 at 12:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

As Will Levis grapples with an AC joint sprain, the Titans are turning to one of their former backups as an insurance option. Trevor Siemian is back with the team.

Siemian, the Broncos’ initial post-Peyton Manning starter, has become a journeyman in the years since his 2018 Denver exit. One of the former seventh-round pick’s career stops came in Tennessee, with the Titans rostering him as a Ryan Tannehill backup from 2019-20.

Initially adding Siemian during training camp in 2019, the Titans kept him around as a reserve behind Tannehill and Marcus Mariota. Siemian stayed in 2020, as Mariota left for Las Vegas, but ended that season with the Saints. Siemian, 32, has since bounced around in a career that has also overlapped with new Titans HC Brian Callahan. Siemian spent a few months of the 2023 offseason with the Bengals, who ended up cutting him after the preseason last year.

This is a practice squad agreement. The Titans, who traded Malik Willis months after signing Mason Rudolph, have two active-roster QBs: Levis and Rudolph. The latter would start if Levis’ shoulder injury keeps him out. Callahan has insisted Levis remains his starter, despite the second-year QB’s early-season struggles. If Levis is out, however, Siemian would stand to be a gameday elevation for Week 6.

Siemian has made 33 career starts. Three of those came for the Jets last season. The Jets had brought in Siemian on a practice squad deal shortly after Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear. Gang Green took heat for not having a better backup plan than Zach Wilson, but after Wilson returned to action following the third and final benching of his Jets career, a concussion ended his season. Siemian stepped in and finished the year as the team’s starter. He completed just 56.2% of his passes, at only 4.7 yards per attempt, but went 2-1 as a starter.

The Saints also used Siemian as a four-game starter, back in 2021, while the Bears turned to him to close out the 2022 season (to seal the 2023 No. 1 overall pick they then traded). For his career, the Northwestern alum has been with seven teams. This marks his second reunion, as the Jets had also rostered Siemian earlier in his career.

Additionally, the Titans added signed tackle Leroy Watson from their practice squad. Watson, whom the Titans acquired from the Browns this offseason, played under Bill Callahan in Cleveland. Watson has not played this season, failing to make Tennessee’s 53-man roster in August, but TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick notes he could split reps with Nicholas Petit-Frere this week at right tackle. Petit-Frere won that post out of training camp and has started all four Titans games, but Pro Football Focus ranks him 59th among tackles this season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/24

October 8th, 2024 at 7:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tuesday’s minor moves around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Tennessee Titans

Kirkland is out for the season due to a biceps tear, head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday. That injury resulted in the addition of Andrew Stueber off Atlanta’s practice squad, a move which became official today. Kirkland, a former UDFA, made a pair of appearances this season, seeing sparse usage on offense and special teams.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/24

October 7th, 2024 at 8:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the minor moves made around the NFL on Monday:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Received one-game roster exemption: WR Zay Jones

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Received one-game roster exemption: DT Mike Hall

Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Both Jones and Hall were issued suspensions under the personal conduct policy leaving them sidelined for the first five weeks of the season. Their roster exemptions will allow them to make their debuts in Week 6, but after that point a corresponding move will be needed for them to be permanently activated to their respective 53-man rosters.

Lemieux served as New Orleans’ starting center in Week 4 after being promoted from the practice squad. He stepped into a first-team role in place of Erik McCoy, who is dealing with a groin injury. Losing Lemieux for at least the next four games will deal another blow to the Saints’ O-line. Connor McGovern was added to the mix recently, but Lucas Patrick has received the nod at center to begin the team’s Week 5 matchup.

DeAndre Hopkins Drawing Trade Interest

October 4th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Titans picked up their first win Monday night, they are 1-3 and in the first months of Brian Callahan‘s HC tenure. Callahan was not in Tennessee when the team won the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes last summer, and the accomplished wide receiver is in the second season of a two-year contract.

Naturally, Hopkins would be of interest to teams looking for help at the position. And interest is starting to pick up, with the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora reporting teams are starting to gather intel on Hopkins ahead of the trade deadline.

With Hopkins in his age-32 season, clubs are determining how much he has left to offer, La Canfora adds. Despite coming to Tennessee after an injury-prone Arizona tenure, Hopkins moved past 1,000 yards last season — his seventh year in four-digit territory. He accumulated 1,057 yards and scored seven touchdowns, helping Will Levis show flashes during an inconsistent rookie season. Thus far this season, the 12th-year veteran has 10 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. Though, Hopkins did miss several weeks due to a knee injury this summer.

The Titans may still be interested in having Hopkins help Levis develop, as the team — despite winning Monday with Mason Rudolph at the helm — is still committed to the second-year QB. Tennessee threw considerable resources into bolstering its offense to determine Levis’ long-term viability this offseason, adding the likes of Lloyd Cushenberry, JC Latham and Tony Pollard. This effort also included a big-ticket Calvin Ridley deal and a one-year Tyler Boyd accord. With underachieving former first-rounder Treylon Burks still rostered, the Titans have a Hopkins replacement ready — if they deem an offer worthwhile.

Hopkins would not qualify as a player who would draw a Davante Adams-level offer, and the Jaguars putting Christian Kirk on the table would also likely fetch a higher price (Kirk is 28 and is signed through 2025). Hopkins profiles as a classic rental. The Titans stood down on interest in rental pieces like Derrick Henry and Denico Autry last year, with the team also holding onto Hopkins despite interest emerging. But the Titans are still in rebuilding mode. Of course, it was later reported Carthon was overruled on moving Henry last year. Carthon denied this, but the second-year GM — post-Mike Vrabel — now has full control. It would make sense for them to listen, especially with Burks rostered.

The Chiefs and Bills discussed Hopkins with the Cardinals last year, but the contract the Ravens gave Odell Beckham Jr. dissuaded the former first-team All-Pro from being amenable to taking a pay cut to facilitate a trade. The Cardinals the released Hopkins. Despite offers from the Patriots and Chiefs, Hopkins wound up in Nashville. He said earlier this year he would like to finish his career there, but a reasonable trade proposal could change that.

It would stand to reason Buffalo and Kansas City would be interested, having done extensive work on Hopkins last year. The Bills did not appear finalists for Hopkins when his free agency concluded, but the Chiefs were. Kansas City also is almost definitely not acquiring Adams, as the Raiders are unlikely to entertain dealing their top receiver to the best team in their own division. Other suitors — like the Steelers and Ravens, to name two — figure to be interested. The teams who miss out on Adams will be looking into options like Hopkins, Kirk, Amari Cooper and Darius Slayton.

With the Titans in their bye week, Hopkins has more than $6MM left in base salary this season. The Titans could pay some of that to increase compensation, but that salary will factor into negotiations — if/once they end up taking place. While Adams will be the top WR piece in trade rumors before the November 5 deadline, Hopkins figures to become a key consolation prize.

Titans QB Will Levis Dealing With AC Joint Sprain

October 4th, 2024 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Will Levis has the backing of Titans head coach Brian Callahan as the team’s starter. The second-year quarterback could be dealing with the effects of his shoulder injury when Tennessee next takes the field, though.

Levis – who injured himself midway through the Titans’ Week 4 win over the Dolphins – is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky details. He adds Levis would likely be unable to play in Week 5 if the Titans were not on their bye. The 25-year-old should be able to suit up by Week 6, although he could still be in pain by that point.

The 2024 campaign has primarily been centered on Levis’ development during his first full season as a starter. The former second-rounder’s performances have left plenty to be desired, though, as he has committed nine turnovers to date. In spite of his struggles, Callahan confirmed after Week 4 Levis will remain atop the depth chart following the bye. If he does wind up missing a start, it will be Mason Rudolph leading the way on offense.

The veteran took over from Levis on Monday night and oversaw a run-heavy approach on offense. Rudolph completed only nine of 17 attempts for 85 scoreless yards, but his showing during training camp and the preseason earned him the backup gig over Malik Willis. Rudolph, 29, took over as the Steelers’ starter down the stretch last year and he has limited experience in a first-team capacity from some of his other Pittsburgh campaigns. A decision on a Week 6 starter will be only dictated by Levis’ health based on the support he has received, though.

Depth in the organization under center also be added relatively soon. Callahan said earlier this week (via team reporter Jim Wyatt) Tennessee is considering a practice squad addition at the quarterback spot. Bringing in an additional passer would provide insurance in the event Levis does not fully recover in time for Week 6. As things currently stand, however, the Kentucky product should be available by that point.

Steelers To Be Active In Non-Davante Adams WR Market?

October 3rd, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers are one of several teams which has been connected to a Davante Adams acquisition. The Raiders All-Pro wants to be dealt to the Jets, however, and other suitors such as the Saints (with quarterback Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams) represent other attractive destinations.

Even if Pittsburgh does not wind up adding Adams over the coming weeks, though, the team could still be in the market for a wideout. ESPN’s Dan Graziano expects the Steelers to be a contender (albeit likely an outside one as things stand) for the six-time Pro Bowler in terms of pursuing a trade agreement. Other veterans could be on the team’s radar as the trade deadline approaches, though.

Graziano names DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk as wideouts who could be on the move over the coming weeks. The Titans and Jaguars have combined to win only one game in 2024, and both teams could be sellers in the build-up to the November 5 deadline. Sitting at 3-1 on the year, by contrast, the Steelers could be in the market for a veteran pass-catching addition if they can continue their strong start. Bringing in an accomplished receiver would also fit given how Pittsburgh’s offseason played out.

While replacing the entire quarterbacks room was the central element of how the spring played out for the Steelers, the team traded away Diontae Johnson and released Allen Robinson. That left a vacancy for a starting spot opposite George Pickens, and the team made a sustained push to acquire Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers standout vetoed the agreement Pittsburgh and San Francisco made to finalize a trade, ultimately remaining in the Bay Area. Since then, questions have loomed about the Steelers’ secondary WR options.

The likes of Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and third-round rookie Roman Wilson have handled depth WR roles so far. With Justin Fields leading the way, Pittsburgh has mainly relied on the ground game while ranking just 20th in passing yardage. Adding an accomplished receiver could add to the team’s offense, although finances would of course need to be taken into consideration.

Hopkins is a pending free agent as his current pact includes three void years. The 32-year-old is attached to a salary of $8.27MM, so an acquiring team would take on a prorated portion of that figure. Hopkins had a strong debut campaign in Tennessee (1,057 yards, seven touchdowns), although his usage has taken a downturn early in 2024. The former Texan and Cardinal could be moved if he were to remain healthy, especially given Tennessee’s long-term investment in Calvin Ridley this past offseason.

A teammate of Ridley’s in Jacksonville, Kirk delivered on his eyebrow-raising contract in 2022. The former second-rounder saw his production take a step back last season, though, one in which he was limited to 12 contests. Kirk, 27, had a slow start to the current campaign but has totaled 15 receptions over the past two games. He is owed the remainder of his $14.5MM salary in 2024; one year remains on his pact beyond that, but it does not include guarantees and carries a cap hit of over $24MM. An adjustment upon arrival or in the spring would thus be required for an acquiring team to commit to a Kirk trade.

With roughly $10.5MM in cap space, the Steelers sit mid-pack in terms of financial flexibility at the moment. A move aimed at adding a veteran receiver could be feasible (especially later in the year, as the remaining salary on players’ deals decrease), but it will be interesting to see if general manager Omar Khan significantly changes the team’s roster if Pittsburgh continues to find success with the current offensive setup.

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