Tag: bryce oliver

Titans make multiple roster moves in preparation for Patriots

The Tennessee Titans made a couple roster moves heading into the Week 9 contest against the New England Patriots.

The Tennessee Titans once again made Saturday interesting by making a few roster moves prior to their Week 9 battle with the New England Patriots. 


The Titans started the activity by waiving reserve tight end Thomas Odukoya and placing guard Andrew Rupcich on injured reserve. Rupcich, who was injured against the Detroit Lions, will likely miss the remainder of 2024 with a torn tricep muscle. 

To fill these spots and the other opening on the 53-man roster, the Titans added wide receiver Bryce Oliver, running back Joshua Kelley, and recently signed defensive back Justin Hardee to the active roster. 

Oliver and Kelley could be insurance with starters Tyler Boyd and Tony Pollard battling injuries and questionable for Sunday. Hardee, known for his special teams prowess, should play a more prominent role on the struggling coverage units, which are looking to bounce back from the debacle in Detroit.

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Titans OC Nick Holz: ‘We’ve got to be able to adjust’

Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz adressed the media one day after the team traded away star WR DeAndre Hopkins.

Thursday is always an entertaining day around the NFL. It’s the day that coordinators typically speak with the media. It was no different today as Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz spoke to the media. 

With this being the first time Holz met with the media since the team traded away WR DeAndre Hopkins, the focus was destined to be on that and the wide receiver position as a whole. While that did happen, with Holz mentioning that the team is “pressing” to get the ball to Calvin Ridley as well as players such as Mason Kinsey and Bryce Oliver potentially seeing increased reps, it was what he said about the defenses they’ve been facing that are truly interesting. 

This is a comment that might not be backed up by fact. Earlier in the week, Next Gen Stats released the nugget that RB Tony Pollard was the only featured running back in the NFL that did not face a stacked box against the Bills. He followed that with this.

Again, this goes against the data about stacked boxes, although the two comments together could explain the reason. If the Titans are using max-protections and limiting the number of receivers in routes, they could be inadvertently torpedoing their rushing attack. 

It is clear the coaching staff has struggled with making adjustments, especially after halftime, and this exchange with the media points to those deficiencies. Not only does this staff have to make better game plans, but they must also be better in-game, and the Titans will continue to have a dismal outlook until that happens. 

Find out if any adjustments have been made on Sunday when likely starter Mason Rudolph leads the Titans against the Detroit Lions in Week 8 action.

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Bryce Oliver chose to return to Titans over joining Jets

The New York Jets came calling but rookie WR Bryce Oliver chose to sign to the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad instead.

Bryce Oliver was one of the biggest highlights of the Tennessee Titans preseason. He has the athleticism and talent required to be an NFL wide receiver, but the Titans simply didn’t have enough room for him on the final 53-man roster.

It’s a numbers game, after all.

The Titans already have Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Jha’Quan Jackson filling up their wide receiver depth. Plus Kyle Phillips even though he was placed on IR.

So the Titans had to waive Oliver and then wait for him to clear waivers before they could add him back to the practice squad. It was never a sure thing that the Titans would get him back, but they were happy they did.

And now we’re learning that it was Oliver’s choice to return to the Titans as he had other offers.

With the Jets, Oliver would have had an opportunity to play with the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, and more.

But as an undrafted free agent who initially spent time with the Titans, Oliver learned the ins and outs of the organization and got to know the players and coaches. He’s comfortable in Tennessee, and New York is a very different market.

No matter his reasoning for coming back, the Titans are happy to have Oliver back in the ranks.

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Malik Willis breaks down performance, outlook on future with Titans

After the Titans 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, quarterback Malik Willis shares his thought on multiple topics.

It has been a rollercoaster ride recently for Titans quarterback Malik Willis, who currently finds himself on the roster bubble as final roster cuts loom. Coming off an uneven performance against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, he bounced back in the finale by adding an exclamation point to his preseason.

Against the New Orleans Saints, he flashed his potential, completing 3-of-4 passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns and adding three carries for 29 yards on the ground in the come victory. After the game, he spoke about the performance.

“I think it’s awesome. Everyone all-around, the offense, defense, special teams did all they could to pull this one out. “You see how close these games get, and I think it’s awesome we finished the way we did,” he said while being questioned after the game.

This was followed up by a question about his connection with surging wide receiver Bryce Oliver, who hauled in Willis’ two touchdown passes.

“I think it’s been awesome. Even just from the spring, just seeing him grow and just absorb the offense. The information that coach has been getting across and giving to all of us, just seeing him grow and make plays.”

When asked about his third camp and how he improved under the new coaching staff.

“I think I’m just trying to take it day by day. And continue to work hard and handle any mishaps, learn from it, and just, and continue to grow each day.”

With cuts on the horizon and his spot uncertain, he was asked about his mindset moving forward as the Titans coaching staff had to make some tough decisions.

“It’s out of my hands. I mean, more than anything, control what I can control as far as that goes. And just put good things on tape.”

He definitely created some good tape on Sunday. The question will be, did he do enough? At this point, no one is sure. The Titans have been tight-lipped about how many quarterbacks they plan to carry and will definitely have some tough conversations ahead. The 53-man roster cut deadline is on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m.

Titans vs. Saints Player of the Game: Bryce Oliver

The Tennessee Titans defeated the New Orleans Saints, 30-27, on Sunday and WR Bryce Oliver is our Player of the Game.

The Tennessee Titans finished off a perfect preseason with a 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints in the last preseason game of 2024. This final tune-up saw the starters take the field after sitting out the Week 2 contest, and they appear ready for the regular season. But it was the reserves that propelled the Titans to victory.

One of the young players who made a huge impact was this week’s player of the game, Bryce Oliver.

While some may see Titans quarterback Malik Willis as the catalyst, it was the rookie receiver who hauled in two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help secure the victory. The 6-1, 214-pound undrafted rookie free agent has been a consistent threat during training camp and ended the preseason with a bang, hauling in three passes for 52 yards and two crucial touchdown grabs.

The Titans signed Oliver out of Youngstown State in May, where he tallied 147 receptions for 2,065 yards and 26 touchdowns in his career. In joining the Titans, he faces an uphill battle for a roster spot in a deep receiving corps. However, his ability to play both outside and in the slot adds to his overall value.

Oliver has been building momentum in recent days. He also appeared to steal the show at the final opening practice. That day, he led all receivers with five catches and made plays. Still, this may not be enough for him to grab a roster spot.

With DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd entrenched at the top of the depth chart and higher-pedigree players such as Treylon Burks ahead of him, it is an uphill climb to make the final 53. But his versatility and momentum may open some eyes within the staff or across the league.

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