Category: Latest Titans News

Titans’ Dennard Wilson prepared for emotional homecoming

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will be heading home on Sunday to the area that helped shape his coaching career.

As the Tennessee Titans prepare to take on the Washington Commanders in Landover, one member of the organization has a little more excitement than most: defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. 

Not only does he coordinate one of the best units in the league, ranking second in total defense, first in pass defense, and eighth in run defense. He now gets an opportunity to return home to continue building his resume. 

Born and raised near the Commanders’ Northwest Stadium in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He attended the University of Maryland and eventually signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2004. Unfortunately, his potential career on the field was derailed by injury, where he quickly pivoted into coaching. 

Now, a decade later, he enters the stadium as a hot name in coaching circles after building an ascending defense during his first season as a coordinator. 

“It’s not about me; all I care about is going back to Washington and getting a win,” Wilson said on Thursday. “All I care about is this defense having success.”

Wilson then reflected on growing up in the Washington area.

“Obviously, I love being from the East Coast, being from the Maryland/DMV area,” he said. “A majority of my family is there. I have great memories. High school was right down the road; my grandmother lived right across the street from the stadium. I grew up probably 10 minutes away from it. Being from there is a helluva thing, and I represent it well.”

At 3-8, Tennessee has a lot of question marks on their coaching staff, but Wilson isn’t one of them. He is a rising talent and Titans’ are lucky to have him. 

Former Titan Eddie George named Big South-OVC Coach of the Year

Former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was named the Big South-OVC coach of the year.

Former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George may have retired from playing, but he isn’t done with football. In 2021, George took over as the head football coach for the Tennessee State Tigers, a member of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference.

His first two seasons as head coach were both losing seasons, but when the Big South and OVC merged, the Tigers started winning. This year, George led his Tigers to their first nine-win season in a decade, and first place in the conference, sending them to their first playoff appearance since 2013.

The Tigers performance was so impressive in 2024 that George was named the Big South-OVC coach of the year. From HBCUSports.com:

Recognized as the Stats Perform HBCU Team of the Week twice this season, Tennessee State enters the postseason ranked in both national FCS Top 25 polls.

The Tigers scored 40 points in a game four times this season, had a four-game win streak from Sept. 28 to Oct. 19, and did not lose consecutive games all season.

Tennessee State ranks ninth in the country with 7.3 tackles-for-loss, had three defensive touchdowns, recovered 10 fumbles and owns the FCS top kickoff return average (26.79). Tennessee State quarterbacks have thrown the fewest interceptions (7), ranked first in the conference in passing defense (195.8) and pass efficiency defense (116.15), and lost the fewest turnovers (15).

Eddie George played for the Titans from 1996-2003, and was part of the transition from Houston to Nashville. He was the NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1996, appeared in four Pro Bowls, and is widely recognized as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history who is still Tennessee’s all-time leading rusher.

Titans make addition to 53-man roster ahead of Week 13

The Tennessee Titans made a small roster move on Friday, signing veteran cornerback Daryl Worley to the active 53-man roster.

The Tennessee Titans filled one of their open spots on the 53-man roster on Friday by signing cornerback Daryl Worley.

Signed to the practice squad a month ago, Worley is out of practice squad elevations and would be ineligible to suit up for the Titans unless he is added to the active roster. 

The Titans elevated Worley for the past three games, with the veteran starting Week 12 at safety in place of Amani Hooker, who was out with an illness. This season, Worley has been credited with five tackles and one pass defensed.

Originally a third-round selection by the Carolina Panthers in the 2016 NFL draft, the veteran has appeared in 90 games with seven different teams during his career. A versatile defensive back, he has recorded 284 tackles, two sacks, five interceptions, 11 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, 40 passes defensed and eight special teams tackles since entering the league.

The Titans will travel to Landover, MD., to take on the Washington Commanders in Week 13 action. 

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Titans injury report: Leroy Watson out, Tyjae Spears questionable

The Tennessee Titans have released their final injury report for Week 13 and expect to have Tyjae Spears back in the fold.

The Tennessee Titans will travel to Landover, MD, on Sunday to play the Washington Commanders in Week 13.

The Titans are getting healthier, although cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and offensive tackle Leroy Watson will remain sidelined this week. The good news is that Awuzie practiced all week, and head coach Brian Callahan is optimistic that he will be back for Week 14.

Callahan was also optimistic that running back Tyjae Spears, who missed Week 12 with a concussion, would clear protocol after practice and be ready to go. His addition could potentially boost the running game against the Commanders, who have struggled against the run throughout 2024. Spears was a full participant in practice on both Thursday and Friday but is questionable for Sunday.

The final injury report and game statuses for the Titans and Commanders are below.

Tennessee Titans

Out: OT Leroy Watson IV (back), CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)

Washington Commanders

Out: OT Andrew Wylie (concussion), RB Austin Ekeler (concussion)

Doubtful: CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring)

Questionable: None

Titans vs. Commanders: 5 things to know for Week 13

Previewing Sunday’s Week 13 matchup between the Commanders and Titans.

The Tennessee Titans are gearing up for a matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 13. The Titans are coming off a thrilling victory over the division-rival Houston Texans, while the Commanders are on a losing streak.

The Commanders are led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, while the Titans’ offense looked better than ever in Week 12. Ahead of this matchup, BetMGM has the Commanders as a 5.5-point favorite.

Ahead of this matchup, let’s identify 5 things to know.

The Commanders haven’t beaten the Titans in a decade

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders haven’t beaten the Titans since 2014. Granted, the teams don’t play often, but still. The Titans have won the last two matchups in the series.

In 2022, the Titans won 21-17. In 2018, the Titans won 25-16. Since coming to Tennessee, the Titans are 5-3 against the Commanders. The Titans will have to pull off an upset to make it three wins in a row, though.

Jayden Daniels is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year

Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Jayden Daniels has taken the NFL by storm. The LSU product is currently the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award, per BetMGM.

Daniels was known for being a dual-threat in college, and that ability has translated well to the NFL. The rookie has thrown for 2,613 yards and rushed for 556 more. Daniels has accounted for 17 touchdowns already.

The Commanders have lost three in a row

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders have lost three in a row after starting out 7-2. The team has fallen to the Steelers, Eagles, and Cowboys in consecutive weeks.

The Titans, meanwhile, finally broke their losing streak last weekend against the Texans. Can the Titans keep their momentum going, or will the Commanders use this as a get-right game?

A familiar face for the Titans

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans will face off against Marcus Mariota in Week 13. Mariota was a first-round pick of the Titans back in 2015 and spent five seasons with the team.

There were some bad moments, but a lot of good as well with Mariota in Nashville. The QB returned the Titans to the playoffs after almost a decade-long drought and flashed excellence at times. While almost none of the Titans’ roster played with Mariota, it will be a cool storyline for fans.

The Titans have yet to win against the NFC in 2024

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) looks downfield during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.

Can the Titans finally pick up a win against an NFC opponent in Week 13? The team is 0-4 against the conference so far after getting swept by the NFC North.

After this game, the Titans only place AFC opponents. While it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things, it would be a bad look to go winless against NFC opponents in 2024

Titans injury report: Calvin Ridley out, Jarvis Brownlee limited

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field on Wednesday and saw wide receiver Calvin Ridley lead a group sidelined by injury.

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field on Wednesday in preparation for their Week 13 battle with the Washington Commanders. 

Prior to practice head coach Brian Callahan outlined the adjustments being made to deal with the Thanksgiving holiday practice schedule and the impact it will have. Because of those adjustments, he warned that there would be a higher-than-usual amount of players held out on Wednesday, and he was right. 

Being held out of Wednesday’s session were defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, linebacker Luke Gifford, outside linebackers Arden Key and Harold Landry, cornerback Roger McCreary, offensive tackle Leroy Watson and wide receiver Calvin Ridley. While some were for rest, others are battling injury, and their status at this point is unknown. 

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie returned to practice as expected and was limited. Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., defensive back Justin Hardee and running back Tyjae Spears were also limited participants. 

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Roger McCreary (knee), OLB Arden Key (back), WR Calvin Ridley (ankle), LB Luke Gifford (hamstring), OLB Harold Landry (NIR/rest),

Limited Participant: RB Tyjae Spears (concussion), CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin), DB Justin Hardee (groin), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (ribs)

Full participants: S Amani Hooker (illness)

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Titans sign wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. to practice squad

The Tennessee Titans signed wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. to the practice squad prior to their Week 13 tilt with the Washington Commanders.

The Tennessee Titans have two open roster spots on their active 53-man unit, and transactions have been announced. But that did not stop the team from making a minor transaction on their practice squad as they prepare for Week 13.  

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Titans are signing veteran wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. to the practice squad. 

The move will reunite Morgan with head coach Brian Callahan, who was his offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals. An undrafted free agent in 2019 out of Nebraska, Morgan made the team and spent five seasons with the Bengals, primarily as a core special teamer. 

With the Titans’ special teams units still underperforming, Morgan has a chance to impress and work his way into the line-up rather quickly. Tennessee ranks near the bottom of the league in most special teams rankings. 

The Titans are now his third team, after Morgan spent time with the New Orleans Saints during training camp, but was released during the final round of cuts in September. 

Morgan and the Titans will be on the field Wednesday as they work toward their Week 13 tilt with the Washington Commanders. 

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If you’re in the green, you’ll get Titans vs. Commanders on TV

NFL Week 13 television maps are out and if you’re in green, you’ll get the Tennessee Titans vs. Commanders on your local CBS station.

The Tennessee Titans (3-8) are preparing to visit the Washington Commanders (7-5) at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland for a Week 13 matchup.

The Titans are coming off an emotional 32-27 upset of their AFC South rival Houston Texans, while the Commanders have dropped three straight, including a 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.

Those in the green region of the TV map will get the game on the local CBS channel.

Getting the call for this game will be Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Jason McCourty (analyst), Tiki Barber (analyst), and AJ Ross (sideline).

Information courtesy 506Sports.

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Titans’ JC Latham helps the less fortunate have a blessed Thanksgiving

Tennessee Titans’ JC Latham partnered with Second Harvest to help those less fortunate have everything for a Thanksgiving feast.

Like most people across the country, the Tennessee Titans are preparing for a big Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. On Tuesday, rookie offensive tackle J.C. Latham did his part to help those in need around the Nashville area have all the necessities that make for a memorable day.  

Partnering with Second Harvest, Latham spent his morning at JC Napier Homes in Nashville distributing meals to 150 families in need for the holiday. 

“To give back to those who support you, the ones who are around you,” Latham said,”I feel it’s really important, especially being on this platform and having the opportunity to do something.”

Latham is developing into a leader for the Titans on the offensive line and now in and around the community. This gesture is especially important around the holidays as many fans and people are struggling with the added financial stress that comes with this time of the year. 

For many, 2024 has been a disappointment for the Titans, but so far, Latham has been one of the bright spots and looks to be a solid building block for the future. Latham and the rest of the team will be back at practice on Wednesday, preparing for their Week 13 battle with the Washington Commanders. 

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Brian Baldinger: Titans ‘opened the playbook’ for Will Levis

NFL Insider Brian Baldinger breaks down how Brian Callahan opened up the Titans’ playbook for Will Levis in their upset win over the Texans.

En route to a huge divisional upset, the Tennessee Titans opened up the playbook for Will Levis in Week 12. Brian Callahan knows the Titans need to score points, something that hasn’t come easy this season. After Levis’ improved performance against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, Callahan decided to give Levis more opportunities.

NFL Insider Brian Baldinger broke down a couple of Levis’ big plays on Sunday:

“He [Brian Callahan] knew that they had to open up the playbook, they had to attack, they had to score some points,” Baldinger says. He talks through the Titans’ attack on a cover-two using four receivers. Tyler Boyd runs a deep cover route in front of the safety, forcing the safety to bite. “This opens it up for Calvin Ridley to attack the deep safety Jimmy Ward and Will Levis let it fly for 63 yards.”

Levis doesn’t get that pass off without some protection, though, which Baldinger also breaks down in the video. Levis needed time to make that throw, and his line actually gave it to him.

The Titans’ offensive line, specifically the right tackle position, has not protected the quarterback well regardless of who lines up under center. But they have had their moments, and maybe they are starting to turn a corner too. Who knows? But they were mostly effective on Sunday, and that needs to continue.

The more Callahan lets Levis do this season, the more comfortable he will be in his position, and the more effective he will be next season.

The Titans next face the Washington Commanders in Week 13 action.

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