Tag: Jaelyn Duncan

Titans’ Brian Callahan: ‘Right tackle is by far the weakest link’

Same game, same result for the Tennessee Titans at the right tackle position, they just aren’t good enough.

The Tennessee Titans lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, and once again, one of their biggest flaws was exposed. The Titans need a right tackle!

The right tackle position has plagued the team this entire season, dating back to training camp, and yet, no matter what changes are made, there is still a major issue. This week, they may have cost the Titans the ball game.  Even head coach Brian Callahan acknowledges this. 


He is absolutely correct: neither he nor offensive line coach Bill Callahan has been able to find a player that can step in and just be average. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Leroy Watson, Isaiah Prince, Jaelyn Duncan or John Ojukwu, none have been able to step in and hold down that spot due to performance issues or injury. 

This begs the question of whether the fundamental issue is the coaching, players, or system. While people on the outside can only speculate about the issues, it is clear that inside the organization, the players are to blame, and they will continue to cycle through body after body to find a solution. 

Maybe it is time for the staff to take a deep dive into their techniques or philosophies; it’s clear that something isn’t working. Unfortunately, the Titans sit in uncharted territory, with the son being the head coach and the father in charge of the worst unit on the team. If this were any other franchise, offensive line coach Bill Callahan would be on the hot seat, but instead here the players are solely on the chopping block. 

The Titans will take on the Houston Texans in Week 12, and maybe during their preparations, they can find a way to put an average right tackle on the field. 

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Titans sign three to active roster, place Jaelyn Duncan on IR

The Tennessee Titans made multiple roster moves headed into their Week 8 battle with the Detroit Lions.

The Tennessee Titans have been busy on the transactions front. After trading DeAndre Hopkins and Ernest Jones earlier in the week and adding Jerome Baker as the only corresponding move, everyone following the team knew more transactions would follow.

Those dropped today with multiple moves.

The Titans signed wide receiver Mason Kinsey, cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally, and offensive tackle John Ojukwu to the active roster. These players could all play roles on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

The Titans entered the day with one open roster spot and had to make room on the 53-man roster for these signings.

The first move was expected and mentioned as a possibility during one of Brian Callahan’s media availabilities. Offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Week 7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, was placed on injured reserve (IR). Duncan will now miss at least the next four games, keeping him out of the weekly right tackle sweepstakes.

Tennessee waived linebacker Caleb Murphy, who has been inactive on game days in recent weeks, to open a final roster spot.

The Titans now have a full roster as the head to Detroit to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 8 action.

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Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed out vs. Lions

The Tennessee Titans released their final injury report for Week 8 and see multiple starters questionable for the meeting with the Detroit Lions.

The Tennessee Titans will head north to the Motor City on Sunday afternoon to take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field

Coming off an embarrassing loss against the Bills, the Titans are banged up and could see multiple starters on the sideline against the Lions. 

Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad) did not practice and is out this week. He will be joined on the sidelines by tackle Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring) who was injured against the Bills. 

Newly acquired LB Jerome Baker (NIR/rest) will join QB Will Levis (shoulder), RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring), DT T’Vondre Sweat (hip) and CB Jarvis Brownlee, who was a late addition to the injury report and limited on Friday with an ankle injury as questionable for Sunday.

Full injury reports for both the Titans and Lions can be found below.

Tennessee Titans

Out: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), LB Cedric Gray (shoulder)

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: LB Jerome Baker (NIR/rest), QB Will Levis (shoulder), RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring), DT T’Vondre Sweat (hip), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (ankle)

Detroit Lions

Out: OG Christian Mahogany (illness), DL Joshua Paschal (illness)

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: N/A

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Titans injury report: Calvin Ridley, L’Jarius Sneed remain out

The Tennessee Titans practiced Thursday in preparation for their Week 8 match-up with the Detroit Lions and see two starters sit out.

The Tennessee Titans were back at it Thursday, continuing their preparation for their Week 8 game with the Detroit Lions. 

CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad) and WR Calvin Ridley (foot) missed practice for a second day in a row due to injury, and little information has been given on their status. Newly acquired LB Jerome Baker was in the building Thursday but was given the day off. 

The biggest news on the day centered on LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder) and DT T’Vondre Sweat (hip). Both players were full participants on Wednesday, but limited in the Thursday session. 

DT Jeffery Simmons, DT Keondre Coburn, and RB Julius Chestnut returned as full participants.

The Titans’ Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), WR Calvin Ridley (foot), LB Jerome Baker (NIR/rest)

Limited participants: QB Will Levis (shoulder), RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring), LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder), DT T’Vondre Sweat (hip) 

Full participant: LB Cedric Gray (shoulder),  Keondre Coburn (knee), RB Julius Chestnut (calf), Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest)

Titans injury report: Calvin Ridley, L’Jarius Sneed sit out

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field Wednesday and released their first injury report for the week.

After a busy day of transactions, the Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field to start preparing for their Week 8 matchup against the Detroit Lions. This provided an opportunity to see where several of the team’s injured players are at.

With QB Will Levis, RB Tyjae Spears, and OT Jaelyn Duncan all mentioned as “week-to-week” heading into the session, it made for an interesting day of preparation. It could help determine who will be available in this tough match-up. 

CB L’Jarius Sneed again did not practice with his quad injury. Sneed missed the Week 7 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and his status has not been updated. As expected, Duncan did not practice with his hamstring and will likely miss the week. Also not practicing were WR Calvin Ridley (foot) and DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest).

Levis (shoulder), Spears (hamstring), DT Keondre Coburn (knee) and RB Julius Chestnut (calf) were all limited participants. It was a great sign for both Coburn and Spears, who missed the last game after not practicing during the previous week. 

LB Cedric Gray (shoulder) and LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder) were both full participants.

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), WR Calvin Ridley (foot), DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest)

Limited participants: QB Will Levis (shoulder), RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring), DT Keondre Coburn (knee), RB Julius Chestnut (calf)

Full participant: LB Cedric Gray (shoulder), LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder)

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Titans’ Brian Callahan states the obvious: Right tackle is an issue

The Tennessee Titans again struggled with protection on the right side of the offensive line and head coach Brian Callahan took notice.

One week after breaking a three-year streak by not allowing a sack against the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans offensive line reverted back to their previous selves, and QB Mason Rudolph faced his share of pressure, 

Some of that blame can easily be attributed to Nicholas Petit-Frere, who again struggled after replacing starter Jaelyn Duncan, who was injured on the opening drive of the game. This has been a common topic with Petit-Frere, who lost his starting job in Week 6 to OT Leroy Watson. 

In the game, Petit-Frere gave up seven pressures and one sack to the Buffalo Bills after being pressed into duty. However, he wasn’t the only lineman that struggled. OT JC Latham went through his worst game since the season opener, giving up two sacks, one hit, and four pressures. 

While Latham and the left side of the offensive line are safe, the right side of the offensive line, specifically the right tackle position, is a work in progress. Head coach Brian Callahan also acknowledged the issue postgame. “We need to sort out the right tackle issue,” Callahan said after the game. 

One week after Watson started against the Colts, he was inactive in Week 7. This left Duncan and Petit-Frere to man the right side. Now with Duncan suffering a hamstring injury and already listed as ‘week-to-week’ things will shift again for Week 8. Callahan basically ruled out Duncan for this week and dispelled the idea of moving RG Dillon Radunz to the position. That leaves Watson, Petit-Frere, and John Ojukwu as in-house options to battle for the right tackle position heading into Week 8. 

Anyone who has watched the Titans through six games knows that the right tackle position has been a problem. Unfortunately, the answer to the problem does not appear on the roster. Tune in Sunday when the Titans face the Detroit Lions to see what changes, if any, are made. 

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Titans’ QB Will Levis ‘week-to-week’ with shoulder injury

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan issued a brief injury update calling QB Will Levis ‘week-to-week’ with his shoulder injury.

When the Tennessee Titans return to practice on Wednesday, all eyes will be on the injury situations after starters QB Will Levis (shoulder) and CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad) missed the 34-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. When pressed on the injury situation Monday, head coach Brian Callahan gave a few updates but kept most of the information in-house. 

Callahan was optimistic that the team might welcome back RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring) this week, although there was no definitive word. He seemed less optimistic about Levis and OT Jaelyn Duncan, who left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. When mentioning both Levis and Duncan, he categorized their injuries as week-to-week.

Duncan, who started at right tackle in Week 7, gave way to former starter Nicholas Petit-Frere after his injury, and it did not go well. The right tackle position has been a problem all season, and it continued after his departure. 

Besides Duncan, WR DeAndre Hopkins sat out the fourth quarter of the loss with lower leg soreness, but did not see an issue moving forward. He also stated that everything else from the game was the normal “bumps and bruises” that accrue during the week. 

There was no update on Sneed and the quad issue that kept him out of action, giving hope that he will be available this week. That would be a boost for a defense that will have its hands full with the explosive Detroit Lions offense. The first injury report for Week 8 will be released Wednesday.

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Titans’ Jeffery Simmons remains out, Jaelyn Duncan limited

The Titans are preparing to face the Dolphins on Monday Night Football and had several changes to the injury report on Friday.

The Tennessee Titans hit the practice field Friday as they prepare to travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins on Monday Night Football.

After some speculation, the Titans finally placed CB Chidobe Awuzie on injured reserve with a groin injury. He will now miss at least four weeks as he tries to get healthy for the second half of the season.

The biggest news of the day was DT Jeffery Simmons not practicing for a second straight day with an elbow injury. This will be something to monitor heading into Saturday when the team releases its final injury report for the week.

OT Jaelyn Duncan, who is battling Nicholas Petit-Frere for the starting right tackle spot, was limited with a shoulder injury and added to the injury report.

L’Jarius Sneed and DeAndre Hopkins returned to practice after being given a maintenance day on Thursday.

The Titans’ Friday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: Chidobe Awuzie (groin), Jeffery Simmons (elbow)

Limited participant: Amani Hooker (face), Jaelyn Duncan (shoulder)

Full participant: L’Jarious Sneed (NIR/rest), DeAndre Hopkins (NIR/rest)

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Titans’ most important remaining position battle might surprise you

Nicholas Petit-Frere appears to have a loose grip on the starting RT job.

On Sunday, the Tennessee Titans will wrap up their preseason schedule against the New Orleans Saints. The starters will get approximately three series before turning it over to the backups.

With roster cuts looming next week, Sunday’s game will provide one final opportunity for players to showcase themselves. Bubble players can solidify their roster spots, and backups can jump into a starting role.

The Titans’ offensive line has been a hot topic for most of the offseason, and Sunday’s narrative figures to be no different. As such, the battle for the starting right tackle job is the most important position battle remaining, as identified by Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton,

Here was Moton’s analysis:

The Tennessee Titans bolstered their offensive line with the addition of center Lloyd Cushenberry III and rookie first-rounder JC Latham, but they still have a big question mark at right tackle.

Petit-Frere struggled through his 2022 rookie campaign. Last season, he only appeared in three outings because the league suspended him for violating the gambling policy and due to injury.

The Titans activated Petit-Frere off the physically unable to perform list in the first week of August. Perhaps he knocks off the rust to reclaim the starting right tackle spot, but his absence opens the door for Duncan to win the job.

In 2023, Duncan started in five out 10 games, but he mostly lined up on the left side. Barring a late offseason pickup or a trade, Petit-Frere may have one more year to show that he’s a long-term starter at tackle in Tennessee.

Head coach Brian Callahan hinted that Petit-Frere might have the inside track for the right tackle job. The former third-round pick has 19 games, including 18 starts of experience under his belt. However, the concerns are noted from his up-and-down rookie season to the suspension and injury-shortened sophomore year.

Petit-Frere will need to solidify his job in Sunday’s game, while Duncan, who, as Moton noted, saw over 90 percent of his playing time at left tackle last year, was praised by the coaching staff earlier this week for his ability to play at both tackle positions.

One thing is for certain: the Titans’ offensive line must give second-year quarterback Will Levis more time to throw this season. Whoever can do that will likely earn the lion’s share of the starts.

Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat may return to practice on Wednesday

When the Titans hit the field for their next open practice of OTAs on Wednesday, T’Vondre Sweat has a chance to be out there.

Tennessee Titans second-round pick and defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat was one of the more notable absences from the team’s first open practice of organized team activities last week.

After not taking part in the session, Sweat was revealed to be working with the “rehabbing group,” according to head coach Brian Callahan. It was later reported that Sweat’s injury is nothing serious.

There’s more good news on Sweat as the Titans prepare for their next open practice on Wednesday, with beat writer Paul Kuharsky reporting that Sweat may be able to return to practice.

Kuharsky also reports that offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan, who did not take part in last week’s session, either, is not expected to be back.

Both players are competing for a starting job in 2024, but Sweat has the better shot to earn one considering the lackluster options Tennessee has.

Duncan is in a position battle at right tackle that includes several players, so he can ill-afford to miss time this offseason.

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