When you think about what the Tennessee Titans had to go through with injuries this season, it makes their 12-5 finish even more impressive.
The Titans fielded a total of 91 players over the course of the 2021 season, a new NFL record. And for those that say “well, there was an extra game this season,” it’s important to note the Titans broke the record in Week 12.
Despite that, and not having superstar running back Derrick Henry for more than half of the season, the Titans still managed to win the AFC South and clinch the No. 1 seed, giving them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC portion of the playoffs.
According to Man Games Lost, injured Titans players missed a total of 336 games, the third-most in the NFL. Of the teams in the top five along with Tennessee, only the Titans made the playoffs.
NFL end of regular season, Top 5, most games missed by injured players.
Giants 356
Ravens 343
Titans 336
Jets 296
Lions 288https://t.co/ILv7Y4ZcaH— Man Games Lost NFL (@ManGamesLostNFL) January 13, 2022
In total, the Titans had 54 players hit Injured Reserve over the course of the season, according to Spotrac, the fifth-most in the league. Of the teams in the top 10 of that list, only the Titans and Dallas Cowboys made the postseason.
When you consider the amount of injuries the team had to overcome and its ability to keep on winning games, it’s easy to see why Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is a hot name for NFL Coach of the Year.
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