Category: Latest Titans News

Where Titans offensive line lands in new rankings

The 33rd Team recently published its list of offensive line power rankings, and the Tennessee Titans checked in at No. 26 overall.

The Tennessee Titans offensive line was arguably the biggest positional need going into the offseason. They finished the 2023 NFL season tied with the New York Jets for the fourth-most sacks allowed (64). Only the Carolina Panthers (65), Washington Commanders (65), and New York Giants (85) gave up more.

As such, Tennessee took measurable steps toward improving the offensive line, with free-agent signings center Lloyd Cushenberry and guard Saahdiq Charles. The Titans also took Alabama tackle JC Latham with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

However, one outlet is unconvinced that the acquisitions will yield positive results. The 33rd Team recently published its Offensive Line Power Rankings, and the Titans checked in at No. 26 overall.

Otherwise stated, the seventh-worst in the NFL.

It’s fair to expect Latham to endure the typical rookie-growing pains. However, the upside is enormous for a player responsible for just two sacks allowed during his college career. The addition of offensive line coach Bill Callahan should also provide a significant boost to the group.

The right side of the offensive line is the most questionable at this point of training camp. However, with Nicholas Petit-Frere recently activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Titans have to be hopeful that the 24-year-old is motivated to improve upon his disappointing 2023 season.

Petit-Frere will be competing for the starting job against undrafted free agent John Ojukwu, 2023 NFL draft pick Jaelyn Duncan, and Leroy Watson, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, among others.

Tennessee will almost certainly utilize the preseason to fine-tune the offensive line, which will be vital to keeping second-year quarterback Will Levis upright more often this coming season.

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Titans’ OL Nicholas Petit-Frere activated from PUP list

Petit-Frere can begin practicing immediately.

The Tennessee Titans have activated offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The 24-year-old passed his physical exam and can begin practicing immediately.

Petit-Frere has not practiced with his teammates since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury on Nov. 2, last year, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The former Ohio State standout was limited to just three games, including two starts, during the 2023 season. Petit-Frere was suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy to begin the year, lost his job in the process, and briefly returned before undergoing shoulder surgery.

Petit-Frere missed all of the Titans’ offseason activities rehabbing his shoulder and cleanup knee surgery. He was placed on the Active-PUP list before the start of training camp.

Petit-Frere will look to solidify the right side of the offensive line, a group that has been a weak spot in camp thus far. The Titans will resume training camp practices on Saturday.

Update on former Titans’ RB D’Onta Foreman is best news possible

Great news for the former Titans running back.

One day after suffering a serious neck injury, former Tennessee Titans running back D’Onta Foreman returned to Cleveland Browns training camp, as first reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

The 28-year-old was injured in a punt return drill on Thursday. He was carted off the field and airlifted to the hospital. Cabot indicates that Foreman’s x-rays and scans were negative.

Foreman’s return to practicing has no timetable, but for now, this is the best news possible.

The NFL journeyman signed a one-year deal with the Browns in the offseason, hoping to carve out a role in a crowded running backs group. 

Foreman enjoyed a career year in his second year with the Titans during the 2021 season, when he carried the ball 133 times for 566 yards and three touchdowns in place of the injured Derrick Henry.

In addition to playing with the Titans, Foreman, who started his career with the Houston Texans, has also played one season for Carolina and Chicago before signing with Cleveland.

Where Nissan Stadium lands in sports venue rankings

Nissan Stadium landed in the bottom tier of sports venue rankings by average review rating on Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor, and Facebook.

Nissan Stadium has been home to the Tennessee Titans since the 1999 NFL season.

From the “Music City Miracle” to the comeback against the New York Giants in 2006 to the walk-off against the Arizona Cardinals in 2009 to the 94-yard game-winning drive against the then-San Diego Chargers in 2013 to the endless supply of Derrick Henry highlights, Nissan Stadium has seen a number of memorable moments at 1 Titans Way over the years.

Despite these, the Titans’ home venue was recently ranked in the bottom tier of NFL, MLB, and NBA stadiums by the average review rating on Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor, and Facebook; 76 out of 90, to be exact.

In terms of the AFC South, the Titans sit in third, with Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts) and EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville Jaguars) checking in at No. 17 and No. 49, respectively. NRG Stadium (Houston Texans) was ranked just a few spots lower than Nissan Stadium at No. 81.

It will be interesting to see how these rankings shake out in a few years. The Titans are set to open “New Nissan Stadium” in 2027, which will have a capacity of 60,000 people.

The Titans had their groundbreaking ceremony for the New Nissan Stadium back in February, and construction has been moving along.

Once completed, in addition to hosting the Tennessee Titans, New Nissan Stadium could bring in major events, including the Super Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, and WrestleMania.

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Titans OL Cole Spencer named UDFA with best chance to make the roster

Bleacher Report recently listed Tennessee Titans undrafted free agent offensive lineman Cole Spencer with the best chance to make the roster

While the majority of undrafted free agents primarily compete for practice squad spots, some find their way onto the active roster.

Following the 2024 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans signed 16 undrafted free agents to bring into camp. Of those, Cole Spencer was among the three offensive linemen to bolster a position group that struggled to keep Titans’ quarterbacks upright over the last couple of seasons.

The 25-year-old was recently named “1 UDFA with Best Chance to Make the Roster in Every NFL Team’s Training Camp” by Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine.

Here is Ballentine’s analysis:

There are a few things working for Cole Spencer to make the Tennessee Titans’ roster.

The first is the coaching change for the Titans. Going from Mike Vrabel to Brian Callahan resets the player evaluation process and provides more even footing for all rookies who are trying to make the roster.

The other is that Bill Callahan is one of the best offensive line coaches in the business. So when the Titans give out more guaranteed money to a lineman than any of their other UDFA’, it’s worth noting.

Spencer played left tackle, left guard and right tackle in stops with Western Kentucky and Texas Tech. He does have an extensive injury history, which probably played a role in him going undrafted, but he ran a 4.89-second 40 and posted a 30.5″ vertical at his pro day, giving a glimpse into his athleticism.

Spencer spent the last two years at Texas Tech, but as the analysis notes, he was limited to just six games during that stretch. Injuries forced him to miss the entire 2022 season and half of last year as well. However, when healthy, Spencer has the potential to be a gem.

While he primarily played at left guard for the Red Raiders, Spencer also has experience at both tackle positions, offering plenty of versatility to a Titans offensive line that has been challenged with injuries in recent years.

In 2023, he was responsible for just one sack allowed and one quarterback pressure, offering a glimpse of the player he was in 2021 with Western Kentucky when he was ranked as the best pass-blocker in the Conference USA by Pro Football Focus.

The right side of Tennessee’s offensive line has been a weak spot in the early stages of training camp. The Titans are expected to get Nicholas Petit-Frere back soon, which should help stabilize the position, but Spencer will have a very real possibility to compete for a backup role.

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CBS likes Titans QB Will Levis’ chances for success in 2024

Only one unproven non-rookie QB ranked ahead of Levis.

Longtime CBS NFL writer Pete Prisco had some major praise for Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis last week. Prisco said Levis compared favorably to Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen due to his physical traits.

Prisco wrote:

That quarterback is Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. Like Allen, Levis didn’t have big-time completion numbers and accuracy was something many scouts said would hold him back. Like Allen, I thought he would get past it. I see a similar trajectory for Levis as Allen. Yes, that’s high praise, but I believe that’s where he is headed.

This offseason, Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon went all-in on his second-year quarterback. The Titans signed wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and running back Tony Pollard in free agency. Tennessee also added one of the NFL’s top centers, Lloyd Cushenberry. In the NFL draft, Tennessee used a top-10 pick on left tackle JC Latham.

Perhaps the most significant move was the hiring of former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as head coach. Callahan has a solid track record of working with young quarterbacks.

With these moves, some think Levis has an excellent shot at success in 2024. Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently ranked five unproven quarterbacks and their chances of success this season. Levis was ranked second, behind only Green Bay’s Jordan Love, who recently became one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history.

Arguably no team — outside of maybe Chicago — made more of an effort to surround their quarterback with talent than the Tennessee Titans. This offseason, the franchise spent big in free agency, adding receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to pair with DeAndre Hopkins, while also signing running back Tony Pollard. Then, the team invested in the offensive line, utilizing the No. 7 overall pick to bring aboard left tackle JC Latham.

That’s the type of surrounding cast that should make life easier for any quarterback and, so long as Levis himself takes a leap in Year 2, the Titans should be a far more competitive club. Levis did flash his potential after taking the starter job, including a four-touchdown performance in his first-ever start, but there were also some rookie lumps mixed in. After spending the entire offseason and summer preparing to be the full-time starter and Tennessee boosting the roster around him, Levis could surprise people with just how big of a leap he takes.

Titans’ WR DeAndre Hopkins to miss time with knee injury

Who steps up in Hopkins absence?

Tennessee Titans’ star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a knee strain injury, as first reported by Paul Kuharsky. Hopkins suffered the injury either during Wednesday’s practice or on Thursday morning.

It’s a tough blow, given the timing of the injury. In the best-case scenario, Hopkins returns to the mix a week before the Titans open the season against the Chicago Bears. If he is out for the full six weeks, he would be looking at two regular-season games missed and returning for Week 3 at home against the Green Bay Packers.

With Hopkins sidelined, the Titans will look for others to step up. The 32-year-old enjoyed a tremendous first year in Nashville in 2023, hauling in 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. It was the eighth time that Hopkins reeled in at least 75 catches in a season and the seventh time he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.

Third-year wideout Treylon Burks will almost certainly benefit from a move up in the depth charts. The Arkansas product was penciled in as the Titans’ fourth wide receiver entering this season, behind Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, and Hopkins.

Burks appears ready for the challenge after getting himself into shape prior to training camp. His offseason work has paid dividends, as he has been a camp standout while drawing rave reviews from his coaches, teammates, and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Still, losing a player of Hopkins’ caliber will be felt throughout the organization, but the Titans are more prepared than in previous seasons for the next man to step up.

PFF selects two Tennessee Titans as fantasy sleepers

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo were selected by PFF as fantasy sleeper picks in 2024.

The Tennessee Titans had some major changes happen after the 2023 season. A new head coach, a new starting quarterback, three new wide receivers, and more.

It stands to reason that most fans don’t really know what to expect from this team or its players due to all of these changes. But that hasn’t stopped PFF from putting two Titans on their fantasy sleeper list.

Both players were drafted by the Titans within the last two seasons — Chigoziem Okonkwo in 2022 and Will Levis in 2023.

At 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, Okonkwo is a smaller tight end, but that is part of what makes him successful on the field. He’s not an enigma like George Kittle or Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski — he’s not loud and flashy, he simply goes on the field and does his job to the best of his ability. Last year he was the Titans’ second-leading receiver behind only DeAndre Hopkins.

Levis took the starting position from Ryan Tannehill in the middle of last season. He played one less game than Tannehill and still threw almost 200 yards more. Not only is Levis looking to improve on last season and show that he really is the guy for the job, but he has some new targets to throw at this year.

Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd will open Levis’ options even further as his receivers stretch opposing defenses thin.

Both of these players have the potential to have a breakout season. They aren’t household names outside of Tennessee yet, but it’s likely that fantasy players will know exactly who they are by the time the season ends.

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Former Titans’ RB suffers serious injury in training camp

Hoping for a speedy recovery for D’Onta Foreman.

Former Tennessee Titans running back D’Onta Foreman has suffered a serious injury in Cleveland Browns training camp. The 28-year-old was reportedly injured during a punt drill, placed on a backboard, and carted off. He has since been taken into an ambulance.

You never like to see any injuries, especially ones this serious in nature. If there is any good news here, Foreman was sitting up and talking with the Browns’ training staff before being placed on the cart.

Foreman signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in the offense, looking to secure a backup role behind star running back Nick Chubb, something he is plenty familiar with.

During his two seasons with the Titans, Foreman amassed 661 yards on 155 carries and three touchdowns. The Texas product received the lion’s share of carries during the 2021 season in place of the injured Derrick Henry and rushed for 566 yards on 133 carries.

That performance propelled him to a starting role with the Carolina Panthers, where he recorded career highs in carries (203), rushing yards (914), and touchdowns (5) during the 2022 NFL season.

We hope that Foreman has a speedy recovery.

Flashback: Titans punter electrifies in Hall of Fame Game

With the Hall of Fame Game kicking off on Thursday, we flashback to Tennessee Titans punter A.J. Trapasso’s fake punt and touchdown in 2009.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is always an exciting benchmark in the calendar year because it officially means that football is back.

In this year’s version, the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will meet on Thursday to signal the beginning of the preseason schedule.

While Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams is not expected to play on Thursday, the Tennessee Titans will get a look at the rookie in Week 1 of the regular season.

In terms of the Hall of Fame Game itself, the Titans had one of the more memorable moments back in 2009 when they went up against the Buffalo Bills.

Facing a fourth-and-10 at the Bills’ 41-yard line, Tennessee punter A.J. Trapasso simultaneously faked the punt while tucking the ball behind his back and took off downfield. Trapasso ran down the sideline untouched and into the endzone.

Check out the flashback here:

The Trapasso touchdown gave the Titans an early 7-0 lead and they were able to hang on, winning the game, 21-18.

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