Tag: Dez Fitzpatrick

Titans’ Mike Vrabel praises Dez Fitzpatrick for his work at practice

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel says Dez Fitzpatrick has been building momentum at practice.

For the first time this season, the Tennessee Titans decided to protect 2021 fourth-round pick and wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick on the practice squad, something we speculated could mean he’s moving the right direction.

It appears we were right. On Wednesday before practice, head coach Mike Vrabel basically confirmed Fitzpatrick is making strides.

He noted that not only has he been practicing well, the rookie also won Scout Team Player of the Week honors on both offense and special teams ahead of the Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts, something he says is unique.

This is great news after the sky was falling for Fitzpatrick before the start of the season. After struggling in camp and during the preseason, he didn’t make the 53-man roster and ended up on the practice squad.

And, up until this point, he hadn’t been elevated or even protected ahead of any game this season. Also, when the Titans needed a practice squad wide receiver a few weeks back, Mason Kinsey got the nod over Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick’s emergence comes at a great time, as the Titans released fellow wideout Josh Reynolds on Tuesday. It appears the Louisville product could be the next man up if Tennessee ends up needing help at the position down the road.

Analyzing Titans’ practice squad protections for Week 10

For the first time this season, the Titans are protecting WR Dez Fitzpatrick on the practice squad.

The Tennessee Titans are protecting four players on their practice squad this week, including wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, linebacker Dylan Cole, cornerback Chris Jones and running back Dontrell Hilliard.

For Fitzpatrick, this is the first we’ve heard about him since he missed the cut on the 53-man roster and was re-signed to the practice squad. He had yet to be protected once before this week.

The move to protect Fitzpatrick this week comes on the heels of the team releasing wide receiver Josh Reynolds on Tuesday.

His protection, along with the fact that he’s getting the nod over fellow wideout Mason Kinsey, who has been protected and elevated instead of Fitzpatrick on multiple occasions this season, could signify the rookie is making strides en route to being the next man up if the Titans need help.

The other notable protection is that of Cole, who was elevated and active in Week 10 with linebacker Rashaan Evans being ruled out. Cole ended up seeing zero defensive and 12 special teams snaps.

This could mean that Evans is set to miss another game, but we also have to consider this as possible bad news for linebacker David Long, who was shaken up during the win over the Rams.

Here’s to hoping we’re wrong in both instances.

Jones saw his most significant playing time of the 2021 season in Week 9 when he logged 28 snaps and surprisingly got playing time over fellow backup, Breon Borders, who has since been released.

Jones made the most of his opportunity, finishing with a top-five Pro Football Focus mark in overall and coverage grades.

Perhaps a promotion to the active roster is in order, but the hope is that the release of Borders means Tennessee’s No. 1 corner, Kristian Fulton, is about to be activated of IR in time for the game against the New Orleans Saints.

Ahead of Week 10, the Titans have a few spots to fill on their practice squad after quarterback Matt Barkley was poached by the Carolina Panthers and defensive back Nate Brooks was cut.

Expect more action on the roster and practice squad this week.

[lawrence-related id=77150,77144,77119]

[listicle id=77121]

Titans’ Mike Vrabel, Jon Robinson discuss 53-man roster, Dez Fitzpatrick, more

Titans GM Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel shared their thoughts on WR Dez Fitzpatrick, and much more.

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson met with the media on Wednesday for the first time since the team revealed its initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.

The Titans have already begun making changes, though. The first was the team releasing quarterback Matt Barkley after claiming offensive lineman Corey Levin, who was Tennessee’s sixth-round pick in 2017, off waivers.

And more moves will be coming, as Vrabel and Robinson revealed during their pressers.

Those moves will involve moving some players off the COVID-19 list to the active roster, and some players could be heading for Injured Reserve, as both hinted to the media.

We also got to know their thoughts on wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick and other players who either did or didn’t make the cut.

Find out what Robinson and Vrabel had to say about those topics and more during their respective pressers on Wednesday afternoon.

Tennessee Titans adding WR Dez Fitzpatrick to practice squad

Fitzpatrick was cut by the Titans on Tuesday.

The Tennessee Titans are now returning two of their young receivers via the practice squad.

After inking wide receiver Mason Kinsey, the Titans are now also reportedly adding fellow wideout and 2021 fourth-round pick, Dez Fitzpatrick, per Justin Melo of Broadway Sports.

Fitzpatrick was somewhat of a surprise cut on Tuesday.

The rookie struggled with drops and blocking during training camp and the preseason, but he did show flashes and was a recent mid-round pick, which led us to believe he had a chance to stick on the 53-man roster.

Instead, general manager Jon Robinson rolled the dice and cut Fitzpatrick, likely hoping he’d clear waivers and be brought back on the practice squad.

This is the best-case scenario for Tennessee. Now, they can continue to develop Fitzpatrick without him using up a valuable roster spot, and more specifically taking one away from a more deserving player at the position.

For all of the latest practice squad signings by the Titans, follow our tracker below.

[listicle id=70416]

Twitter reacts to Titans cutting 4th-round pick Dez Fitzpatrick

The 2021 fourth-round pick was the most notable cut on Tuesday.

The Tennessee Titans had some tough decisions to make at the wide receiver position, as the battle for the last remaining spots was a fierce one, which in turn led to wideouts Mason Kinsey and Dez Fitzpatrick getting cut.

Kinsey was certainly deserving of a spot, and if not for the Titans’ particular situation at the position he likely would have made the initial 53-man roster.

As for Fitzpatrick: his exclusion from the 53-man roster was somewhat of a surprise, although it wasn’t totally shocking.

Yes, he struggled mightily with drops in the preseason and training camp, but he did show some flashes in exhibition play and the Titans also just picked him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft after trading three picks to move up to select him.

This doesn’t necessarily mean Fitzpatrick is done in Nashville, though. The Titans could put him on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Here’s a look at the reaction on Twitter. You can check out the Titans’ initial 53-man roster right here.

[lawrence-related id=70404,70394,70386]

[vertical-gallery id=70400]

Titans to cut 2021 fourth-round pick Dez Fitzpatrick

The Titans are reportedly set to cut 2021 fourth-round pick, WR Dez Fitzpatrick.

The Tennessee Titans are reportedly set to cut one of their 2021 fourth-round picks, wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, according to Paul Kuharsky. The news has since been confirmed by multiple reports.

While Fitzpatrick getting cut isn’t a total shock considering his struggles, it is somewhat surprising given his status as a recent mid-round pick, and one that Tennessee traded three picks to move up for.

Fitzpatrick did manage to show some flashes in preseason play, but there was more bad than good, as the rookie struggled with drops, both in exhibition play and during training camp.

It also didn’t help that the Titans had an ultra competitive battle for the final spots at the wide receiver position. Fellow wideout Mason Kinsey is also reportedly getting cut, and he deserved a spot more than Fitzpatrick.

This might not be the end for Fitzpatrick in Nashville, though. The Titans could add him to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Following along with our tracker below for all of the latest moves the Titans make ahead of the 3 p.m. CDT deadline.

[listicle id=70343]

Titans’ winners and losers from preseason Week 3 loss to Bears

Which Titans helped or hurt their stock ahead of final cuts on Tuesday?

The Tennessee Titans closed out their preseason on Saturday night with a 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears, but more importantly we got some clarity on some positional battles ahead of final cuts on Aug. 31.

While some players thrived in what was a big moment for them, others faltered, leaving their status for the initial 53-man roster up in the air.

With the preseason in the books, the Titans will first have to make decisions about who will and won’t make the roster, but then it will be time to turn their attention to the regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, which will take place on Sept. 12 at Nissan Stadium.

That’s right, we’re two weeks away from real football and a first look at what should be one of the most exciting offenses to watch in the NFL — but I digress.

Here’s a look at which players emerged as winners from the preseason finale, and which ones went in the opposite direction.

Titans’ Dez Fitzpatrick playing with more urgency, A.J. Brown showing leadership

“I think he’s slowly understanding the speed at which you’ve got to play this game,” Moore said of Fitzpatrick.

After being inconspicuously absent during the first half of preseason Week 1, it was clear things weren’t going great for Tennessee Titans fourth-round pick and wide receiver, Dez Fitzpatrick.

The Louisville product was the only Titans receiver to not play during the first two quarters of that game, and he failed to record a stat in the second-half snaps he did play.

Fitzpatrick, who also struggled in practices leading up to preseason Week 2, was able to turn things around against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tallying two receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Wide receivers coach Rob Moore pointed to Fitzpatrick’s growing sense of urgency and a better understanding of the speed at which the NFL game is played as reasons for his improvement.

“I think he’s slowly understanding the speed at which you’ve got to play this game,” Moore said. “You got guys like Khalil Mack and some of these others guys come up, you don’t have time to give guys a song and  a dance to get open. I think he’s realizing the urgency that you’ve got to play with and is starting to show it a little more.”

While we fully expected Fitzpatrick to make the roster when training camp began, our confidence in that projection wavered for a bit, mostly because Tennessee’s other backup receiver options were routinely thriving.

Now, the rookie looks to be safe after showing signs of life. He’ll have one more opportunity to make an impression in preseason Week 3 against the Chicago Bears.

Moore also revealed that fellow wideout A.J. Brown has taken on more of a leadership role in his third season, passing on the things he has learned to younger guys.

“As a coach, it always puts a smile on your face when you see the growth, you see the maturity” Moore said of Brown. “He’s sat in that seat, he’s been where he’s been, so he’s just trying to impart the wisdom that was given to him and is kind of passing it on trying to help shorten his learning curve.”

Brown looked phenomenal in training camp, but has yet to take the field in a preseason game. There’s a chance we’ll see him on Saturday night, but regardless the Ole Miss product is primed for a huge 2021 season.

[lawrence-related id=70122,70113,70099]

[listicle id=70106]

Titans’ Mike Vrabel: Dez Fitzpatrick needs to show ‘a lot’ more

Vrabel touched on Fitzpatrick and much more in his day-after press conference.

One of the biggest storylines coming out of the Tennessee Titans’ Preseason Week 1 contest against the Atlanta Falcons was the absence of 2021 fourth-round pick and wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick in the first half.

The Titans dressed a total of nine receivers, eight of which saw the field in the first two quarters; however, Fitzpatrick was not one of them.

The rookie did eventually take the field in the second half, playing a total of 24 snaps in his preseason debut, but he did not record a stat and was not targeted.

On Saturday, head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that Fitzpatrick needs to do “a lot” more in practice if he wants to see more preseason snaps. It doesn’t sound like Vrabel is too happy with his progress thus far.

The Titans are seeing a competitive battle for the few remaining spots on the wide receiver depth chart. If not for his status as a recent fourth-round pick, we’d say Fitzpatrick is in danger of missing the cut.

Thankfully, the Louisville product has plenty of practices and two preseason games left to right the ship ahead of Week 1. It’ll be interesting to see if the rookie can answer the bell in the weeks ahead.

Vrabel touched on a number of other topics during his day-after presser. Here’s a look at what he had to say.

Titans’ biggest winners and losers from Preseason Week 1 win over Falcons

Aside from a late injury, Titans kickers had a great preseason opener, as did Rashad Weaver.

The Tennessee Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons in their 2021 preseason debut on Friday night at Mercedes Benz Stadium, 23-3. Naturally, the result produced both winners and losers.

This was a reunion game for many on the Atlanta sideline, most notably for Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who was formerly the Titans’ offensive coordinator.

But that reunion was soured quickly, as Smith’s former team gave his new team a reality check from the start. Tennessee was the more disciplined squad in all three phases, which helped it walk away with a 20-point victory.

It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t always clean, but this was a great start for a Titans team that desperately needs to see improvement from its defense and is looking to physically impose its will on opponents overall this season.

Let’s take a closer look at who the biggest winners and losers were of the preseason-opening victory over the Falcons on Friday night.