Tag: monty rice

Tennessee Titans place LB Monty Rice on IR

Rice will miss at least the next three games.

The already short-handed Tennessee Titans have lost yet another player due to injury, as the team announced it has placed 2021 third-round pick and linebacker, Monty Rice, on Injured Reserve.

Rice, who suffered an ankle injury during the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, will miss at least the next three games, which means he won’t return until at least Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins.

As is the case with most positions on the team, the Titans were already dealing with injuries at the linebacker, with starters Rashaan Evans and David Long both having missed multiple games in a row.

The hope is that either or both will be healthy enough to return after the bye in Week 14. Tennessee also has Jayon Brown, Dylan Cole, Joe Jones and Nick Dzubnar on the roster.

In addition to placing Rice on IR, the Titans also waived wide receiver Austin Mack from the practice squad.

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Titans’ Monty Rice: Special teams work has helped my development

“I developed more on special teams and it has helped me in whatever role I have on defense,” Rice said.

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After receiving some praise from head coach Mike Vrabel and inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett for the progress he has made this season, Tennessee Titans linebacker and 2021 third-round pick, Monty Rice, touched on the subject on Wednesday before practice.

Rice has started in two of the past three games for the Titans with the team dealing with injuries at the position, and he has played well for the most part.

The Georgia product credits his work on special teams for the progress he has made overall, something Vrabel also mentioned in his praise of the rookie.

“When I first got here, you have to kind of learn how to play special teams, with the exception of kickoff because that’s just effort,” Rice said. “I developed more on special teams and it has helped me in whatever role I have on defense. It’s just important to go down there and give it your all on special teams.”

Rice continued building momentum with a solid performance in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, a game in which he started.

The 22-year-old tallied a team-high 11 tackles on 48 snaps, while also adding a QB Hit. In his two starts this season, Rice has 18 tackles, one pass break-up, and the QB Hit.

Despite a good showing against the Saints, Rice admits there are still some things he needs to clean up.

“I’m still learning and still trying to be better,” Rice admitted. “I messed up some things against the Saints, so I just want to fix those so I can be even better.”

Rice’s development, which he says has been aided by his helpful teammates, is important because the Titans might need him in a starting role in 2022, with Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown both set to hit free agency.

For now, Rice is providing a solid backup option for a Titans defense that continues to thrive, but his future continues to get brighter as the season progresses.

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Titans coaches praise progress, play of rookie LB Monty Rice

Titans rookie LB Monty Rice has played well in two starts the past three weeks.

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Tennessee Titans inside linebacker and 2021 third-round pick, Monty Rice, has played a significant role in two of the past three weeks with the team dealing with injuries at the position.

In Week 8, Rice played well with Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown out, tallying a career-high 54 snaps and posting seven tackles and one pass defensed in his first career start.

In Week 10, Rice got the starting nod once again with Evans and David Long out and didn’t disappoint. He finished with a team-high 11 tackles, while also adding one QB Hit in 46 snaps.

So far, head coach Mike Vrabel likes what he has seen out of the rookie, who he says started building confidence with his play on special teams.

“He first started to make an impact on special teams,” Vrabel said, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “He was finishing. He was finishing guys out of bounds and running his guy and taking care of the returner, so I think he started to build some confidence there. Then he made some tackles on kickoff and really started to build some confidence there. Got an opportunity to play linebacker. Yesterday was another step. It was another game he played a lot of football for us, and the Colts game a few weeks ago. He is continuing to improve and hopefully we can start to really see some more progress and string a couple weeks together.” 

Inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett praised Rice’s play against the run on Sunday and believes the Georgia product will continue to get better.

Once Evans and/or Long return, Rice will be relegated to backup duties once again, but there’s no question the Titans have the makings of a future starting linebacker on their hands, which is big considering the team could lose both Evans and Jayon Brown in free agency in 2022.

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Titans’ Taylor Lewan, Chester Rogers, Monty Rice ruled out for Week 7

The Titans will be without their left tackle and kick returner in Week 7.

The Tennessee Titans have ruled out a trio of players before releasing their final injury report of the week ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The biggest name among the three is left tackle Taylor Lewan, who suffered a concussion in what was a scary moment during the Week 6 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Lewan has since come out and said he’s feeling “alright” following the game, but clearly he’s going to need at least another week to get right.

Wide receiver Chester Rogers has also been ruled out. His absence sets the Titans back in two spots, wide receiver and returner. Tennessee will now be without both their starting punt and kick returners, with Cameron Batson having torn his ACL, ending his season.

The Titans deployed Marcus Johnson on kickoffs in Rogers’ place, and the team worked out three players with returning experience in wide receivers Pharoh Cooper and Brandon Powell, and running back Dontrell Hilliard.

It’s also possible the Titans could get back their original starting kick returner, running back Darrynton Evans, who has been designated to return from IR for a few weeks now.

Last but not least, linebacker Monty Rice will miss his second straight game. Rice has played predominantly on special teams this season, but did see a season-high 12 snaps defensive snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Titans’ Monty Rice spotted at practice after Wednesday injury

Rice is back after suffering an injury on Wednesday.

Tennessee Titans 2021 third-round pick and linebacker Monty Rice returned to practice on Thursday after suffering an injury that saw him carted off from the sideline on Wednesday.

Rice told ESPN’s Turron Davenport that he’s good. We’ll have to see how much he participates in what is the second joint practice for the Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their Preseason Week 2 game on Saturday night.

Per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online, Julio Jones, A.J. Brown, Nate Davis, Ben Jones, Darrynton Evans, Dane Cruikshank, Tucker McCann, Denico Autry, Matthias Farley, Geoff Swaim, Marcus Johnson, and Brady Breeze are not participating.

 

Titans’ Monty Rice leaves joint practice with Bucs early due to injury

Monty Rice was carted off after being helped to the sideline.

The Tennessee Titans continue to be bitten by the injury bug, as 2021 third-round pick and linebacker Monty Rice suffered an injury during the joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday.

Per ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Rice was defending a pass across the middle and went down. He then got up but had to be helped off the field. Rice was later carted off from the sideline, per Paul Kuharsky.

It isn’t clear what he’s dealing with exactly at the moment.

The Titans have been hit hard by injuries during training camp, particularly at the safety position. We’ve also seen extended absences from key players like Julio Jones, Ben Jones and Nate Davis.

Rice has shown flashes during training camp, and he continued to do so in Preseason Week 1 versus the Atlanta Falcons. He’s expected to serve as depth for Tennessee during his rookie campaign.

We’ll see if head coach Mike Vrabel has any update on the rookie after practice.

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Georgia Bulldogs learning the hardships of being NFL rookies

Georgia Bulldogs like Eric Stokes, Monty Rice, and Azeez Ojulari are learning the hardships of being NFL rookies

Georgia Bulldogs Eric Stokes, Monty Rice and Azeez Ojulari are among those learning the hardships of being NFL rookies. Georgia had a record number of players drafted in the 2021 NFL draft.

Now, rookies across the league are fighting for roster spots and to gain the respect of veteran players and coaches. Earning respect of veteran players requires carrying equipment, showing up to practice early and knowing the the playbook.

Here’s how former Georgia Bulldogs are doing their part for their respective NFL teams:

Watch: Titans’ Rashad Weaver shows efficiency while getting rookie treatment

Titans rookie OLB Rashad Weaver was quite efficient when carrying the team’s shoulder pads off the practice field.

One of the funny things to watch during Tennessee training camp is how the rookies are tasked with carrying the veteran’s equipment off the practice field, something outside linebacker Rashad Weaver had to do on Saturday.

Weaver, a fourth-round pick of the Titans in the 2021 NFL draft, is not only learning how to become a player in the NFL ahead of his first season, he’s also learning how to be efficient when carrying equipment.

Following practice on Saturday, which was the Titans’ ninth of training camp, Weaver was spotted with a bunch of shoulder pads stacked on top of him to the point where his vision was almost obstructed.

The efficiency!

Weaver isn’t the only rookie getting the treatment. Linebacker Monty Rice can be seen carrying a bunch of helmets in the picture below, which was from an earlier practice.

Syndication: The Tennessean

These types of tasks are typical for rookies as they try to earn their stripes in the NFL. If all goes well, someone will be carrying Rice’s and Weaver’s pads one day.

Titans 3rd-round pick Monty Rice reveals he has signed rookie deal

Rice is the last Titans 2021 draft pick to sign his rookie contract.

While we are still awaiting an official announcement from the Tennessee Titans, the team’s 2021 third-round pick and linebacker, Monty Rice, revealed on social that he has signed his rookie deal.

Rice inking his rookie contract comes just days after the Titans signed fellow third-round pick and cornerback, Elijah Molden. The Georgia product was the last Titans 2021 NFL draft pick to sign.

Rice will now turn his attention to training camp, where he’ll compete for a role among the team’s inside linebackers. We project the rookie to serve as depth in his first season.

All players will report on July 27, but rookies are reporting on Saturday, July 24. The first practice of training camp is scheduled to take place on July 28. Head coach Mike Vrabel will address the media the day before.

For a full look at the Titans’ training camp schedule, click here.

Unfortunately, Tennessee won’t have any practices open to the general public because of ongoing construction at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

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Titans agree to terms with third-round pick Elijah Molden

The Titans have just one more 2021 NFL draft pick to sign.

With just days to go before the start of 2021 training camp, the Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with one of their third-round picks, cornerback Elijah Molden, the team announced on Thursday.

And then there was one.

With Molden under contract, the Titans have signed seven of their eight picks from the 2021 NFL draft. Linebacker Monty Rice is the only draft selection yet to sign his rookie deal.

The Titans aren’t the only team to see a delay in inking their third-round picks, as it has become a common trend around the NFL this offseason.

NFL Insider Adam Caplan explained why earlier this month.

With his deal done, Molden might have a few more bills to pay now. His father, Alex, recently revealed that his son still had his phone and car insurance paid for, at least until he signs his rookie deal.

“He doesn’t have money. He may front like he has money… he has to sign his contract,” Elijah’s dad said.

According to Over the Cap, Molden’s four-year rookie contract should be worth around $4.78 million in total, so safe to say he’ll be able to afford the new expenses.

Now, the Washington product will turn his attention to training camp, where he’ll try to secure a significant role in his first season in Nashville.

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