The Tennessee Titans have overcome many obstacles throughout the 2019 season, but one of those that continues to loom over is the injury bug.
Tennessee’s secondary has been hit hard with injuries to cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and LeShaun Sims.
Butler has been placed on Injured Reserve, and LeShaun Sims, who came in as his replacement, has missed two consecutive days of practice with an ankle injury.
With this, Tye Smith is the next man up. Head coach Mike Vrabel is confident the cornerback is up to the task, and has seen him progressively get better this season.
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“He’s got good length. I think that he’s been a good special teams player for us. There’s been some versatility,” Vrabel said. “I think the thing I would like to say about Tye (Smith) is, I feel like he’s improved as one of those players on the show team that’s gone out there and worked against A.J. (Brown), Humph (Adam Humphries, Corey (Davis), Tajaé (Sharpe), Kalif (Raymond) and all of them, and really improved. That’s what excites me is that a player that’s gotten better without a lot of game-rep opportunities throughout the course of the season to be ready for this opportunity.”
Smith has played in four games for the Titans this season, and has two combined tackles.
The Titans and Colts are set to kick off at noon CT on Sunday in Lucas Oil Stadium.