Titans bring back a familiar face ahead of Week 17

The Tennessee Titans placed starting inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. on injured reserve and claimed linebacker David Long Jr. off waivers.

A day after the Tennessee Titans added linebacker Raekwon McMillan to the practice squad, the team was busy adding to the position again. 

While the rest of the team was enjoying the holiday with a day off on Wednesday, word broke that the Titans were reuniting with linebacker David Long Jr. The team claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Lions. 

The move became a necessity when the Titans announced starting inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. was being placed on injured reserve due to a wrist injury. While this was not mentioned by Brian Callahan at his weekly press conference, reports surfaced Tuesday that Murray was spotted in a cast before the teams’ walkthrough on Tuesday. 

Originally a sixth-round pick of the Titans in the 2019 NFL draft, Long played 50 games for the team before moving on as an unrestricted free agent to the Miami Dolphins in 2023. He played in 25 games for Miami and moved onto the Detroit Lions after being waived in November.

In his career, Long has 388 tackles, a sack, four interceptions, 15 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery with the Titans, Dolphins and Lions. 

Long should join the team when they return to practice on Thursday and continue preparations for their Week 17 battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

[lawrence-related id=155411,155408,155364]