Tag: Luke Gifford

Titans-Jaguars Week 17: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

Here are the offensive, defensive, and special teams snap counts from the Tennessee Titans’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17.

The Tennessee Titans were swept by the Jacksonville Jaguars this year after the Jags’ 20-13 victory over the Titans on Sunday. The Jags last swept the Titans in 2022, but before that, you have to go back to 2005 to find a Jags sweep.

It definitely wasn’t the outcome the Titans hoped for, and there are a lot of reasons for this loss, so the administration needs to take a step back and analyze the whole picture to figure out what the problem is with this team, and how to fix it going forward.

Now, let’s examine the snap counts that contributed to the Titans’ Week 17 loss.

Offensive snaps: 69
Defensive snaps: 58
Special teams snaps: 21

Linebacker Luke Gifford, fresh out of concussion protocol, was on the field more than any other player on Sunday. He played every single defensive snap, and 52% of the special teams snaps. He performed well, leading the Titans in tackles, but no player should be tasked with that the first week they return.

There was also a lot more offensive crossover to special teams this week than we have seen this season. This is likely due to the dwindling linebacker personnel but also could be an exploration of how to fix the special teams problems. Considering the Jags averaged 31 yards per kick return, we’ll suggest this isn’t a personnel problem and is a coaching issue.

The Titans have one more game to play in 2024 when they host the Houston Texans in the final week of regular season play. After that, they’ve got to focus on addressing the issues that have plagued this team all season.

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Titans injury report: Tony Pollard out, Luke Gifford returns

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field and watched multiple starters led by Tony Pollard sidelined.

The Tennessee Titans were back on the practice field Thursday, ramping up preparations for their Week 17 tussle with the Jacksonville Jaguars and watching numerous players sit out due to injury. 

The Titans are definitely thin at inside linebacker after placing Kenneth Murray on injured reserve and subsequently releasing recently acquired David Long Jr. after he failed his physical. They did receive some good news at the position as Luke Gifford practiced fully as he navigates the concussion protocol and might return. 

Running back Tony Pollard headlined the group that was held out due to injury. In all, six starters missed practice on Thursday, all of whom are battling nagging injuries and have been listed in previous weeks.  

Wide receiver Bryce Oliver was added to the injury report with a knee injury and was limited on Thursday. 

The Titans’ complete injury report for Thursday can be found below. 

Did not participate: WR Tyler Boyd (foot), K Nick Folk (abdomen), RB Tony Pollard (ankle), LB Otis Reese (ankle), S Amani Hooker (shoulder), OG Dillon Radunz (shoulder), 

Limited participant: WR Colten Dowell (knee), WR Bryce Oliver (knee)

Full participant: Luke Gifford (concussion)

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Titans injury report: Luke Gifford out, Nick Folk questionable

The Tennessee Titans released their final Week 16 injury report and see multiple starters questionable for their battle with the Colts.

The Tennessee Titans finished up their work on the field in preparation for their Week 16 battle with the Indianapolis Colts on Friday and have a lot of injury questions heading into the weekend.

The biggest blow could be the loss of kicker Nick Folk. Folk returned to practice on Friday and was limited. The Titans listed Folk as questionable, but expect kicker Brayden Narveson to be elevated as an emergency option. That could play a huge role in the outcome of what should be a close game. 

Quarterback Will Levis was added to the injury report and was limited with a shoulder injury. This coincides with reports that he aggravated it against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14 and attempted to play through it last week. Levis is questionable this week. 

Linebacker Luke Gifford and wide receiver Colton Dowell were the only players listed as out on the Friday report. 

The final injury report and game statuses for the Titans and Colts are below.

Tennessee Titans

Out: LB Luke Gifford (concussion), WR Colton Dowell (knee)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: LB Kenneth Murray (hamstring), K Nick Folk (abdomen), QB Will Levis (shoulder), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), RB Tony Pollard (ankle), Otis Reese (ankle)

Indianapolis Colts

Out: LB E.J. Speed (knee), WR Alec Pierce (concussion)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: TE Mo Alie-Cox (hip), WR Ashton Dulin (ankle), K Matt Gay (neck), CB Julius Brents (knee), LB Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder), C Ryan Kelly (knee)

Titans’ Brian Callahan offers injury update on Luke Gifford

Tennessee Titans linebacker Luke Gifford remains in concussion protocol leaving the team extremely thin at inside linebacker.

Tennessee Titans head coach gave an injury update during his press availability and there was some bad news for the linebacker position. 

Linebacker Luke Gifford, who has been tremendous since being thrust into the lineup, will have to navigate his way through the concussion protocol this week. This is another blow to a unit that has been decimated by injuries. 

Jerome Baker (neck) and Otis Reese (ankle) were both inactive against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. Meanwhile, starter Kenneth Murray has missed time with a hamstring injury in recent weeks. Although Murray is playing through injury, the Titans are extremely thin at inside linebacker.

Heading into the first practice of the week, the Titans only have rookies Cedric Gray and James Wilson healthy at this point in the season to man the linebacker position. Both players have shown flashes on special teams, but manning the inside linebacker position is a giant leap for this inexperienced tandem. 

The Titans will release their first official injury report on Wednesday. Stay tuned for any and all updates. 

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Titans make flurry of roster moves ahead of Dolphins game

In preparation for Monday Night Football, the Tennessee Titans made some roster moves ahead of the Week 4 match-up with the Miami Dolphins.

The Tennessee Titans are back at work in preparation for their Monday night match-up against the Miami Dolphins and have made some roster moves ahead of the weekend. 

https://twitter.com/eastonfreeze/status/1839716169239978134

In a move head coach Brian Callahan mentioned as a possibility earlier in the week, the Titans placed CB Chidobe Awuzie on injured reserve. The veteran cornerback injured his groin against the Green Bay Packers and has been shelved for a minimum of four weeks.

While there has not been an update on the severity of the injury, it is likely he will be out for several weeks. In his absence, rookie fifth-round selection Jarvis Brownlee Jr. will likely take on a larger role on defense. 

The Titans made a second move that was mentioned by Callahan. To take Awuzie’s spot, the Titans promoted LB Luke Gifford to the active 53-man roster. Gifford, who was elevated from the practice squad in the first three games of the season, is a special teams standout and if not added to the roster would have been ineligible to be called upon again. 

With an open spot on the practice squad, the Titans added former Denver Broncos third-round pick DT McTelvin Agim to the unit. For his career, he has recorded 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and 1.5 sacks for the Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. 

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Titans elevate LB Luke Gifford, RB Jabari Small from practice squad

The Tennessee Titans have elevated LB Luke Gifford and RB Jabari Small from their practice squad ahead of a Week 3 game against the Packers.

The Tennessee Titans are about to take on the Green Bay Packers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sunday and have made some small roster moves in preparation. 

The Titans are elevating linebacker Luke Gifford and running back Jabari Small from the practice squad and he is likely to suit up in the match-up. 

For Gifford, this is his third elevation of the 2024 season. After seeing time on both defense and special teams during the past two games, it is likely that the Titans will sign him to the 53-man roster after this game to continue in this role.  

By NFL rules, a player can only be elevated to the active roster three times during the season. 

Small, who is familiar with the system after spending training camp with the Titans, is likely activated as a precaution in case Tyjae Spears (ankle) can’t go on Sunday. That’s the first elevation for the former undrafted rookie free agent. 

In some news for the Packers, they elevated quarterback Sean Clifford on Saturday. While this does not mean that Jordan Love will not play, it is a potential sign that Titans fans could indeed see a Will Levis vs Malik Willis match-up on Sunday. Stay Tuned!

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Titans’ final injury report for Week 3: Tyjae Spears questionable vs. Packers

The Tennessee Titans are relatively healthy and ready to go against the Green Bay Packers with Tyjae Spears the only player with a designation.

The Tennessee Titans will return to the field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium.

To this point, the Titans have been relatively healthy in 2024. However, there are a couple question marks heading into this match-up.

Running back Tyjae Spears is the biggest concern; the second-year back has been limited while battling an ankle injury. While he returned to practice in full on Friday, he is still listed as questionable.

Practice squad linebacker Luke Gifford, who missed practice Thursday with a back injury, was not listed on the report and had no designation.

The Titans also added Morgan Cox to the injury report with an ankle injury. He was a full participant on Friday and also has no designation for Sunday’s match-up with the Packers.

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

George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tennessee Titans

Out: None

Doubtful: None

Questionable: Tyjae Spears (ankle)

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers

Out: Jordan Morgan (shoulder)

Doubtful: Carrington Valentine (ankle)

Questionable: Jordan Love (knee)

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Titans Injury Report: Gifford sits out, Spears Limited

The Tennessee Titans practiced Thursday and made a few changes to their weekly injury report.

The Tennessee Titans continued their preparations for their Week 3 matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.

While veterans Jeffery Simmons and L’Jarius Sneed returned to practice after being given an off day, the biggest news was centered on RB Tyjae Spears, who returned in a limited capacity. This in no way indicates whether Spears will be available this week; it does show that he is trending in a positive manner after being listed day-to-day by head coach Brian Callahan.  

Titans LB Luke Gifford sat out Thursday with a back injury after being a full participant on Wednesday. 

Gifford has been elevated from the practice squad for each of the season’s first two games and is a regular on special teams. If he can’t go on Sunday, this could cause problems for an already struggling unit. 

The Titans’ Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: LB Luke Gifford (Back) 

Limited participant: RB Tyjae Spears (Ankle)

Full participants: DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR-Rest), CB L’Jarius Sneed (NIR-Rest)

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Titans elevate LB Luke Gifford from practice squad for Week 2

The Tennessee Titans are finishing up preps for their match-up against the New York Jets by elevating LB Luke Gifford from the Practice squad,

The Tennessee Titans are set to open their home schedule Sunday when they take on the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and have made a small roster move in preparation. 

https://twitter.com/TDavenport_NFL/status/1835050749618766192

The Titans are elevating linebacker Luke Gifford from the practice squad and he is likely to suit up in the matchup. 

For Gifford, this is his second elevation of the 2024 season. The Titans can only elevate him one more time this season, and if they want to continue seeing him on the field, they will be forced to either sign him to the active roster or keep him on the practice squad. 

After seeing time on both defense and special teams in Week 1, Gifford will likely assume a similar role against the Jets. 

Titans elevate two players from practice squad for season opener

As the Tennessee Titans head to Chicago for the season opener, the added some reinforcements from the practice squad for Sunday.

The Tennessee Titans are set to open the 2024 NFL season on Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago and have made a couple small roster moves in preparation. 

The Titans are elevating recently released linebacker Luke Gifford and defensive lineman James Lynch from the practice squad and are now eligible to suit up in the matchup. 

In 2024, a player can be elevated from the practice squad for a maximum of three regular-season games in the same year and any number of postseason games without taking up a spot on the 53-man active roster. That’s a slight change from 2023 when the NFL only allowed players to be elevated twice during the regular season. 

This is a good sign that cornerback Chidobe Awuzie will be available on Sunday. A late addition to the injury report, he was limited in Friday’s practice. 

For Gifford and Lynch, this is the first elevation of the 2024 season.