Tennessee Titans All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was rewarded this past offseason with a lucrative $94 million contract extension.
For the most part, the Titans are getting their money’s worth. I personally wouldn’t say this has been the best start of Simmons’ dominant career, but he’s still producing at a very high level.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Mississippi State product currently ranks third amongst all interior defensive linemen when it comes to pressuring the quarterback.
Simmons has totaled 21 pressures on the year, only trailing Aaron Donald (23) and Jalen Carter (23) through five weeks. The Titans’ Pro-Bowl defender has also recorded three sacks and two quarterback hits.
Unfortunately, Simmons suffered a shoulder injury during last week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, so it bears watching to see how much that impacts his play going forward.
For now, Simmons is expected to be OK, as Paul Kuharsky reported the day after the game on Monday.
Jeffery Simmons, who didn’t seem the same in Indianapolis after suffering what appeared to be a left shoulder injury, is expected to be OK. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) October 9, 2023
If the Titans want to have the type of dominant and physical defense they’re often known for, they need No. 98 in the middle wreaking havoc on a weekly basis. Otherwise, the unit will probably be a shell of what it’s capable of until Simmons returns to full health, if he isn’t there already.
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