Tag: Roger McCreary

3 Titans qualify for proven performance escalators

Three Tennessee Titans have qualified for proven performance escalators, including one who may come as a big surprise.

The Tennessee Titans are in the midst of a general manager search after firing Ran Carthon on Tuesday. Over his two seasons, the Titans have done a good job in the NFL draft, with their 2024 haul off to a good start. 

Carthon, like his predecessor Jon Robinson, will be remembered for his misses, more than the picks that hit. It’s always fun to review draft classes years later to see how things panned out.

Fortunately, the NFL has a built-in way to see how much impact a draftee had with the mandatory Proven Performance Escalator program (PPEs). 

The mandatory program awards rookies who were drafted in the second through seventh rounds, who have participated in a substantial number of plays for their teams. The program has three levels and adds a non-negotiable amount of money to a player’s base salary if they meet certain performance thresholds early in their career.

The bonus is calculated through their first three years in the league and is paid out with a player’s base salary in their fourth season. 

This offseason, the Titans have three players who meet the criteria and will receive a bump in their fourth-year base salary. Cornerback Roger McCreary, tight end Chig Okonkwo, and offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere all qualified for the escalator and will see their pay increase.

McCreary will see the biggest raise after landing in level two, while Okonkwo and Petit-Frere will see the minimum amount after finishing in level one. 

To give you an idea of what this raise means and exactly how much it will impact the salary cap, here is a breakdown of the three levels and the associated salaries Over the Cap. 

Level One PPE will increase the base salary to the amount of the Original Draft Round RFA tender.

Level Two PPE will increase the base salary to the amount of the above tender, plus $250,000.

Level Three PPE will increase the base salary to the amount of the 2nd round RFA tender.

The Titans have a lot of work to do this offseason as they rebuild after a disastrous 2024 campaign, and now they will have to accomplish this with a little less salary cap space.

[lawrence-related id=156195,156139,156117]

Titans injury report: Tony Pollard, Roger McCreary questionable

The Tennessee Titans released their final injury report and see multiple starters led by Tony Pollard questionable for Week 15.

The Tennessee Titans finished up their work on the field in preparation for their Week 15 battle with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday and appear to be getting healthier.

As head coach Brian Callahan noted prior to practice, no player has been ruled out for the contest, but there are still some that are battling injuries and are questionable.

On a positive note, kicker Nick Folk again practiced fully and will play on Sunday barring a setback. The same can be said for starters JC Latham and Kenneth Murray, who returned to practice Friday and have no designations.

Linebacker Otis Reese (ankle) and cornerback Roger McCreary (shoulder) did not practice and are both questionable. While running back Tony Pollard returned but was limited with his ankle injury and is also questionable.

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

Tennessee Titans

Out: None

Doubtful: None

Questionable: CB Roger McCreary (shoulder), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), RB Tony Pollard (ankle), Otis Reese (ankle)

Cincinnati Bengals

Out: DT Sheldon Rankins (illness), OT Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula), LB Joe Bachie (groin)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: WR Charlie Jones (groin)

[lawrence-related id=154818,154811,154796]

Titans injury report: Kenneth Murray, Jarvis Brownlee questionable

The Tennessee Titans released their final injury report and see multiple starters led by Kenneth Murray questionable for Week 14.

The Tennessee Titans have an interesting AFC South battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in a game that has major implications for the 2025 NFL draft.

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is trending in the right way and could be activated from injured reserve. Awuzie practiced all week and has no injury designation. The same cannot be said for offensive lineman Logan Bruss, who injured his ACL on Thursday and will likely be placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

Cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee, linebackers Kenneth Murray and Jerome Baker and defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat did not practice on Friday and will enter the weekend as questionable.

Wide receiver Tyler Boyd returned to practice and has no injury designation.

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

Tennessee Titans

Out: OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), OG Logan Bruss (knee)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: CB Roger McCreary (shoulder), LB Kenneth Murray (hamstring), DT T’vondre Sweat (shoulder), LB James Wilson (knee), OT Leroy Watson (back), LB Jerome Baker (neck), CB Jarvis Brownlee (hip)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Out: None

Doubtful: None

Questionable: CB Tyson Campbell (thigh), P Logan Cooke (left knee), LS Ross Matiscik (hamstring), LB Yassir Abdullah (hamstring)

[lawrence-related id=154477,154476,154432]

 

Titans injury report: Tyjae Spears out, Roger McCreary questionable

The Tennessee Titans released their final Week 12 injury report and see running back Tyjae Spears headline out for the week.

The Tennessee Titans will take on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday in Week 12 AFC South action.

The Titans will again be without L’Jarius Sneed and Leroy Watson IV, who both missed the Week 11 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. Sneed, who has been out of action for the past five weeks, will be placed on injured reserve prior to the game. 

Linebacker Jack Gibbens is out and will join Sneed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair his ankle injury on Monday. Running back Tyjae Spears did not pass concussion protocol and will also miss the game.  

Defensive backs Justin Hardee and Roger McCreary returned to practice in a limited capacity and are questionable for Sunday. 

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

Tennessee Titans

Out: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Leroy Watson IV (back), LB Jack Gibbens (ankle), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: CB Justin Hardee (groin), Roger McCreary (knee)

Houston Texans

Out: OT Blake Fisher (concussion), DT Foley Fatukasi (foot)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: DT Denico Autry (knee/oblique)

[lawrence-related id=153918,153909,153902]Tit

Titans’ injury report: Roger McCreary out, Calvin Ridley returns

Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary headlines a list of players that did not practice Thursday ahead of this critical AFC Sounth battle.

The Tennessee Titans were back on the field Thursday in preparation for their Week 12 AFC South battle with the Houston Texans. 

Running back Tyjae Spears, who remains in concussion protocol, was held out for a second day in a row putting his availability for this week in doubt. The same can be said for starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad), who once again missed practice and is unlikely to suit up on Sunday. Cornerback Roger McCreary, defensive back Justin Hardee and offensive tackle Leroy Watson were also held out. 

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Kenneth Murray returned to practice on Thursday. 

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Leroy Watson (back), LB Jack Gibbens (ankle), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion), DB Justin Hardee (groin), CB Roger McCreay (knee)

Limited Participant: N/A

Full participants: Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps),  WR Calvin Ridley (illness),  LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder)

[lawrence-related id=153890,153880,153876]

Titans’ injury report: Multiple starters sit out practice

The Tennessee Titans released their first injury report for Week 12 and see multiple starters on the sidelines.

The Tennessee Titans dropped a tough one on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and suffered some damaging injuries in the process. 

Heading into Week 12, it is already known that linebacker Jack Gibbens will be out and likely placed on injured reserve prior to kickoff. Gibbens suffered a devastating lower leg injury that required surgery on Monday. Since has not been placed on IR yet, he was a non-participant. 

Running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) and linebacker Otis Reese IV (ribs) were also injured during that contest. Spears is in concussion protocol and did not practice, while Reese practiced and was not listed on the injury report. 

Starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad) did not practice and is likely out for Week 12. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, tackle Leroy Watson IV, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive back Justin Hardee, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Cornerback Roger McCreary, and linebacker Kenneth Murray did not practice

Defensive Back Justin Hardee was limited with a groin injury. 

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Roger McCreary (knee), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps), WR Calvin Ridley (illness), LB Jack Gibbens (ankle), DB Justin Hardee (groin), LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)

Limited Participant: N/A

Full participants: N/A

[lawrence-related id=153873,153855,153856]

Titans’ injury report: Arden Key, Roger McCreary, Jeffery Simmons return

The Tennessee Titans saw multiple starters return to practice on Thursday — here is the daily injury report.

The Tennessee Titans were back on the practice field on Thursday and welcomed some starters back after sitting out Wednesday’s session.

 

Outside linebacker Arden Key, cornerback Roger McCreary and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons all were full participants and running back Tony Pollard was limited. This is a positive sign for Key and McCreary who sat out Wednesday due to injury. 

The same cannot be said about cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and tackle Leroy Watson, as both players missed their second day of practice heading into Week 11. They were joined on the sideline by defensive back Justin Hardee, who was limited on Wednesday with a groin injury. 

The Titans will wrap up their practice week on Friday and release their final injury report. 

The Titans complete Thursday injury report is below.

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Justin Hardee (groin)

Limited participant: RB Tony Pollard (NIR/rest)

Full participant: DT Jeffery Simmon (NIR/rest). CB Roger McCteary (knee), OLB Arden Key (back)

[lawrence-related id=153605,153596,153591]

Titans vs. Vikings: 3 causes for concern in Week 11

The Tennessee Titans square off in a Sunday afternoon battle against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. Here are three reasons for concern.

The Tennessee Titans host the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CST.

The Titans’ 2024 season has been rough. Not that anyone expected Brian Callahan to come in and take this team to the Super Bowl in his first season, but people expected a better showing than what we’ve seen so far. It’s not all bad, but there’s a lot of work to be done.

The Vikings, on the other hand, are 7-2 and sit in second place in the NFC North, right behind the Detroit Lions. Their biggest goal is to keep winning and hope the Lions lose or they make wild card weekend. In the toughest division in the NFL this season, the Vikings have their work cut out for them to make the postseason.

Those concerns don’t start for the Vikings this week, though. Up against a Titans team that isn’t playing like it can, the Vikings are heavy favorites this week. That’s certainly a cause for concern for the Titans, although not the only one. Let’s take a look at three causes for concern for the Titans heading into Week 11.

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Vikings boast the top run defense in the NFL

The Vikings typically have a strong defense year-to-year, but this year they hold the top spot in the league with their run defense. In 2024, the Vikings have allowed just 711 rushing yards, that’s an average of 3.8 yards per carry or 79 yards per game. They’ve allowed only two run plays over 20 yards and only one over 40 yards. This is as stout of a run defense as we’ve seen in a long time.

The concern here is that the Titans’ offense goes through Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears on the ground. That is simply not going to be effective against the Vikings, so Brian Callahan and Nick Holz better have a plan in place for when the run game fails.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

More defensive players sporting injuries

Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed has missed weeks with a quad injury, which was recently revealed to be a substantial bruise and a strain. He’s not happy and feels guilty that he’s not out there on the field, but he’s not alone. Injuries on the defensive side of the ball have been a problem all season. The concern this week is there are three new defenders with injuries: Arden Key has a back injury, Roger McCreary is dealing with a knee injury, and Justin Hardee has a groin injury.

We won’t know if they will carry an injury designation into the game until Friday, but that none of them practiced on Wednesday shows they all needed rest.

The severity of these injuries isn’t apparent yet, so all three of them may still play this week. Even so, the defense is already struggling with injuries and fatigue, so adding more isn’t helpful.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The offensive line is still a problem

Last week, Will Levis was sacked seven times. The Los Angeles Chargers rank fifth in sacks this season, and the Vikings are right behind them in the sixth spot. They’ve recorded 30 sacks this season, and the Titans’ offensive line simply isn’t going to fare well against the Vikings’ defensive front.

Leroy Watson IV and John Ojukwu will likely continue to rotate at right tackle, although Watson is nursing a back injury now, so who knows how much he will play. On the left side, rookie JC Latham has largely done his job well, but fatigue started to set in last week against the Chargers and could be seen in his play.

The Titans’ offensive line has allowed 28 sacks this season and seven of them happened last week. Brian Callahan and Nick Holz have to find a way to keep Levis protected against a strong Vikings defense in Week 11.

[lawrence-related id=153591,153584,153559]

Titans’ injury report: 6 starters sit out practice

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

The Titans seemed to be making progress on the injury front heading into their 27-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With the week’s first practice on hand, it will be the first chance to see if some ailing players could return this week.

The most notable injury remains cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. His quad injury has kept him out for an extended period. Heading into Wednesday, Sneed has not practiced in any capacity since the injury. Unfortunately, Sneed has continued to be sidelined.

Multiple starters joined him on the sideline, including defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, outside linebacker Arden Key, Cornerback Roger McCreary, running back Tony Pollard, and tackle Leroy Watson IV.

Defensive Back Justin Hardee was limited with a groin injury. 

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), RB Tony Pollard (NIR/rest), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Roger McCreary (knee), OLB Arden Key (back)

Limited Participant: DB Justin Hardee (groin)

Full participants: N/A

How confident are the Titans in their cornerback room?

The Tennessee Titans were a league anomaly after the initial breakdown of their roster, the carried a league low of cornerbacks.

When the Tennessee Titans made their initial cuts to get down to the mandated 53-man limit, they kept five tight ends and only four cornerbacks. It’s a fact that many found interesting and left the Titans in a category of their own, carrying the fewest of cornerbacks in the league. 

By comparison, no other team carried less than five, with a third of the NFL carrying at least six on the roster. Of course, the roster is in constant motion at this time of the season and adjustments have been made.

On Thursday, the Titans claimed former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darrell Baker, adding another young cornerback to the active roster. But this is still a risky proposition. 

The unit is counting on veterans L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie to man the outside, with Roger McCreary in the slot. On paper, this looks like a solid starting group, but there are some concerns about how they will mesh together on the field when the action starts. Behind them sits rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr., now Baker on the active roster. 

The Titans did add three more cornerbacks to the practice squad, Tre Avery, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, and Anthony Kendall, who are familiar with the system. This will give the team some added flexibility with elevation rules, so the team should not have issues with the lighter active roster. But it will be something to watch throughout the season.