How Harold Landry's injury affects the entire Tennessee Titans defense
NASHVILLE — Edge defender Harold Landry was placed on Injured Reserve by the Tennessee Titans on Friday. The move confirms the initial report by ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier this week that the Pro-Bowl rusher had torn his ACL in Tennessee's only practice of the week. Less than ideal. The Titans defense will miss Landry's presence in […]
NASHVILLE — Edge defender Harold Landry was placed on Injured Reserve by the Tennessee Titans on Friday. The move confirms the initial report by ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier this week that the Pro-Bowl rusher had torn his ACL in Tennessee's only practice of the week.
Less than ideal.
The Titans defense will miss Landry's presence in more ways than one. While disrupting opposing quarterbacks is Landry's chief responsibility, his role in coordinator Shane Bowen's system goes far beyond that. Fans must understand that it will not be just one individual that Tennessee needs to try and replace the former second-round pick's skill set.
Coach Mike Vrabel's philosophy on not being overly reliant on talent will equip the Titans to do just that.
Landry is more than a rusher
He's a versatile piece in a multiple defense.
"This is important to coaches," said Greg Cosell of NFL Films when asked about Landry this week. "He allowed them to use some multiple fronts. We saw, at times, he would line up on the inside in a sub-front, that he'd line up standing up. Even in base, when (Tennessee) didn't want a a 5-2 look, but they wanted a 4-3 look, he would line up as a stacked linebacker."
The Titans can find other NFL players to fill those roles, but not one like Landry who can do all of it.
When the percentage of snaps played in any given game seemed so high for Landry (89.5% in 2021), it is important to remember how many different ways Bowen and the defensive snap used him. The pass rush statistics are easy to get caught up in, especially with Landry signing a new contract this offseason after a career-high 12 sacks. Those are critical, of course, but do not properly illustrate the full picture.
What can the Titans do now?
Tennessee claimed outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka in a corresponding move on Friday.
Tuszka (6-4, 251) has played in 24 games since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 draft by the Denver Broncos. As a reserve for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, Tuszka found ways to make plays with 18 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and two special teams stops in 15 games of action. A healthy Bud Dupree this season will go along way to offset Landry's absence, and the Titans defensive front still projects as one of this team's areas of strength.
Losing Landry for the year, however, robs Tennessee's defense of its best opportunity to be truly special in a crowded AFC.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
