Tag: Kyle Philips

Titans’ biggest disappointments from the 2023 season

The Titans had no shortage of disappointments in 2023. Here are six players who fit the bill the most.

During what was a frustrating 6-11 campaign, the Tennessee Titans had no shortage of disappointments, from individual players to entire position groups.

That fact shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as we always knew this past season was going to be a roll of the dice for the Titans.

After all, the team was strapped for cash during the offseason and had to bet on upside at several positions, both with players already on the roster and free-agent signings.

Sometimes that works out — and in the case of some players on this past year’s team, it did — but when it doesn’t, things can get ugly.

In what is our latest look back at the 2023 season, we’re going to go over the team’s six most disappointing players.

Titans’ Will Levis has ‘developed a lot of trust’ with Kyle Philips

Titans QB Will Levis says he’s “developed a lot of trust” with WR Kyle Philips, who is coming off a career-best game.

It has been a rough year-plus in the NFL for Tennessee Titans 2022 fifth-round pick and wide receiver, Kyle Philips.

After an impressive debut in Week 1 of last season that saw him tally six catches for 66 yards, Philips has been plagued by injuries, leading to his playing in just seven games since then.

But Philips finally broke through in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he finished as the team’s leading receiver with a career-high 68 yards on four receptions.

“It definitely felt good,” Philips said, per Jim Wyatt. “I had a few catches, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is wins and losses… But it was nice to get back involved and contribute more to helping this team.”

According to Philips, one of the reasons he was able to have the game he did versus the Steelers was because of the extra work he’s put in with rookie quarterback Will Levis to help build their chemistry.

Levis touched on the subject, noting that Philips is someone he’s “developed a lot of trust” with.

“He was a little dinged up and now to have him fully back in the swing of things, we’ve always known he’s a special player that we can incorporate into this offense,” Levis said of Philips, per Kayla Anderson of 104.5 The Zone. “Just continuing to find ways to get him the ball, however that may be, and I’ve definitely developed a lot of trust with him.”

With fellow wide receiver Treylon Burks not expected to play in Week 10, Philips should see more opportunities. For now, he says he’s comfortable with what is being asked of him.

“I am feeling comfortable in the role they want, and the opportunities they are giving me,” Philips said. “I am just doing what I can with those opportunities to make as many plays as I can.”

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10 notable stats from Titans’ Week 9 loss in Pittsburgh

Ryan Sikes takes a look at 10 notable stats from the Titans’ Thursday night loss to the Steelers.

The Tennessee Titans dropped to 3-5 on the season after a 20-16 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Thursday Night Football”.

Thursday was the first of three consecutive road games for the Titans, who will look to get back in the win column in Week 10 against Tampa Bay before traveling to Jacksonville in Week 11.

Tennessee has lost all four games away from Nissan Stadium this year, and five when you factor in a London game in which the Titans were considered the home team.

Rookie quarterback Will Levis made his second NFL start, completing 56.4 percent of his passes (22-of-39) for 262 yards and one interception. Levis was under pressure more than he was in his first start, as expected, taking four sacks and ten quarterback hits. He was pressured 15 times in total.

Running back Derrick Henry ran for 75 yards on 17 carries, marking his second-fewest rushing yards in a game this season.

Here are ten stats from the Titans’ Week 9 loss in Pittsburgh.

Titans having open competition at punt returner, Kyle Philips still in the mix

The Titans are having an open competition for punt returner, but Kyle Philips remains one of the options.

The Tennessee Titans (2-4) return to action in Week 8 at home against the Atlanta Falcons after having a week to reflect on their previous loss to the Baltimore Ravens in London.

However, the Titans may feature a different look in the punt return game after Kyle Philips’ muffed punt at the end of the first half resulted in points for the Ravens.

The blunder has given special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman a reason for trying his luck with other personnel. The philosophy seems to be aligned with the franchise’s transitional state, following the trade of long-time safety Kevin Byard.

It would appear the Titans are evaluating everything, as Aukerman indicated the competition for the punt return job is there for the taking. At least for this weekend, Tennessee will evaluate Mason Kinsey, Eric Garror, Shi Smith, and Colton Dowell, and despite his latest punt return blunder in Week 6, Philips is also in the mix.

Philips, the second-year man out of UCLA, started the year on injured reserve. He made his season debut in Week 5 and has taken four punt returns for a total of 23 yards.

Garror is in his first season with the Titans after signing as an undrafted free agent and averaged 15.1 yards per return as a senior at Louisiana. He has yet to have an opportunity to field punt returns in the NFL.

Smith has prior experience with the Carolina Panthers, taking 23 punt returns and averaging 6.2 yards per in 2022. The former South Carolina standout notably averaged 21.9 yards per return as a junior for the Gamecocks.

Kinsey has had the most success returning punts at the NFL level. The 25-year-old has fielded four punt returns this season, averaging 12.5 yards per, including a 21-yard return in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dowell has yet to return a punt in the NFL, but at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, the seventh-round pick in 2023 presents a unique combination of size and speed. The Titans are willing to explore roles they can carve out for the former UT-Martin wide receiver.

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Titans’ Kyle Philips, Mike Vrabel talk muffed punt in Week 6

Titans WR Kyle Philips took full responsibility for his fumble in Week 6.

One of the many things that went wrong for the Tennessee Titans during their Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens was wide receiver Kyle Philips fumbling a punt on a fair catch at the end of the first half.

Making this muffed punt even worse is the fact that Philips did so as time was running out in the second quarter. In fact, Baltimore recovered the fumble with just one second remaining before making a field goal.

After the game, Philips took responsibility while also stating the obvious: he didn’t need to go anywhere near that ball.

“In that situation, I really didn’t [need to] catch it,” Philips said, according to AtoZ Sports’ Kelsey Kramer. “It was what, one second left. I’m the reason we gave up three points in the end, so that’s on me. Like I said, I’ve got to take it on the chin, go forward and just be better.”

This, of course, is not Philips’ first issue as a punt returner. He had a pair of fumbles last season and missed the first four weeks of this campaign after suffering a MCL injury trying to return a punt during the preseason.

Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t mince words about the play but also noted he could have simply not had anyone back there to avoid such a situation.

Say what you want about Vrabel having someone back there, Philips should know better not to try and even fair catch that punt under the circumstances.

The Titans did stick with Philips as the returner the rest of the game, but that’s one of many things this team needs to change during the bye week.

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Titans’ 53-man roster, practice squad, IR for Week 5

A look at what the Titans are working with going into Week 5.

With the Tennessee Titans’ Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts less than 24 hours away, it’s time to take a look at what the Titans are working with in Week 5.

Tennessee has a total of four players ruled out ahead of Sunday in wide receiver Treylon Burks, defensive lineman Teair Tart, linebacker Luke Gifford and right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere.

Petit-Frere is the only one of those four who is healthy, but clearly the Titans felt he needed another week to get acclimated, thus he remains on the exempt list and doesn’t count against the 53-man roster.

The Titans will be getting back wide receiver Kyle Philips this week, as the UCLA product has been activated off injured reserve. Philips’ return is even more welcomed with Burks ruled out.

Now, a look at the Titans’ 53-man roster, practice squad and injured reserve for Week 5, which includes any and all game statuses for players and the practice squad guys who have been elevated.

Titans activate Kyle Philips from IR among 3 moves

Titans WR Kyle Philips will make his 2023 debut in Week 5.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kyle Philips will be making his 2023 season debut on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

The team announced on Saturday afternoon that it has activated Philips from injured reserve, where he started the season after sustaining a MCL injury during the preseason.

In addition to Philips’ activation, the Titans are elevating both safety Dane Cruikshank and defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson from the practice squad for Week 5.

Johnson will provide extra depth with Tennessee not having defensive lineman Teair Tart, who was ruled out with a toe injury. The veteran defensive lineman has appeared in one game for Tennessee this year.

If he suits up, Cruikshank will be playing in his first game with the Titans since 2021. He spent last season with the Chicago Bears.

Philips’ return is even more welcomed this week, as the Titans won’t have wide receiver Treylon Burks in the lineup for a second straight game because of a knee injury.

On top of his receiving duties, Philips is expected to return to his role as the team’s punt returner, according to special teams coach Craig Aukerman.

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Titans’ Kyle Philips says he’s fully healthy, unsure if he’ll play

Titans WR Kyle Philips says he’s 100 percent healthy but isn’t sure if he’ll play in Week 5.

The Tennessee Titans may be getting a reinforcement back in their receiving corps. this week after wide receiver Kyle Philips was designated to return from injured reserve on Monday.

The oft-injured Philips missed the first four games of the season after suffering a MCL injury during the preseason.

The UCLA product says he’s fully healthy and ready to get back on the field, but isn’t sure if he will actually play. That, he says, will be up to the coaches.

“I feel good, I feel real healthy and really excited to get back out there,” he said, per Jim Wyatt. “I’m just going to practice like I’m playing this week, prepare like I’m going to play and then, at the end of the day, it’s up to the coaches whether they think the team needs me this week or another.”

On top of his receiver duties, Philips figures to slot in as the punt returner, the role he was slated to have before his injury. However, head coach Mike Vrabel made no promises Philips would be used in the return game.

While Philips has been designated to return, he still must be activated off injured reserve. I think there’s a good chance that will happen by the end of the week and Philips will be on the field in Week 5.

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Titans designate Kyle Philips to return from IR among 3 moves

On Monday, Titans WR Kyle Philips took a big step toward returning from injured reserve.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kyle Philips took a significant step toward making his return from injured reserve on Monday.

The team announced it has designated Philips to return from injured reserve, which gives him a chance to return as soon as Week 5. However, he still has to be activated and won’t count against the 53-man roster until that happens.

In addition to that move, the Titans waived wide receiver Mason Kinsey — which could be a sign that Philips is indeed ready to return to game action this week — and interior offensive lineman Xavier Newman. Right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere will take one of those two roster spots.

Kinsey was handling punt return duties after the injury to fellow wideout and returner Kearis Jackson, who was replacing Philips in that role. Kinsey was fairly effective, averaging 12.5 yards per return.

Newman actually started at left guard in Week 2 in place of an injured Peter Skoronski but lasted just one quarter before being replaced by Dillon Radunz, who has held down the job since.

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Titans’ Kyle Philips expected to practice next week

The Titans are expecting to get WR Kyle Philips back at practice next week.

The Tennessee Titans may be getting a reinforcement in the receiving corps. next week.

According to Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, wide receiver Kyle Philips is expected back at practice next week, which obviously puts him on track to play.

Philips is currently on injured reserve but can be activated after Week 4.

Philips sustained an unspecified MCL injury while trying to field a punt during the second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, necessitating his placement on IR.

The UCLA product’s return is important for a few reasons.

Philips has the kind of short-area quickness to get open in a hurry for an offense that has major issues with pass protection, and he’s a chain-mover.

Also, there’s a chance the Titans might be without wideout Treylon Burks for more than a game thanks to a knee injury that is keeping him out of Week 4, Vrabel said, according to Terry McCormick of Titan Insider.

While Philips’ return is certainly welcomed, let’s hope the second-year wide receiver can finally stay healthy. He’s missed 17 out of a possible 21 games over his first two seasons in the NFL.

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