The Titans stole a hidden treasure away from division rival
Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. is having a career renaissance with the Tennessee Titans (6-3) in 2022, playing some of his best NFL football and proving to be the hidden treasure the rest of the league missed. The best part of it all is how the Titans acquired him. On the afternoon of September 26, […]
Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. is having a career renaissance with the Tennessee Titans (6-3) in 2022, playing some of his best NFL football and proving to be the hidden treasure the rest of the league missed.
The best part of it all is how the Titans acquired him.
On the afternoon of September 26, following the Titans' win over the Raiders in Week 3, Tennessee signed Edwards off of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. Edwards was added to the teams' 53-man roster as OLB Derek Tuszka was waived. The AFC South rival Jaguars missed a golden opportunity, as Edwards has done nothing but shine for the Titans so far.
In six games as a Titan, Edwards has two sacks, three tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hits. That's one QB hit shy of his career high. According to PFF, Edwards has also generated 22 quarterback pressures this season. That ranks him in the top 50 pass rushers league wide.
22 pressures is more than a few of the leagues biggest stars, and ironically, almost more than Jacksonville Jaguars first overall draft pick Travon Walker has this season.
The Titans defensive depth has been a major factor in their 6-3 start and early season success. Tennessee has been able to overcome injuries and found a way to plug-and-play the next man on the depth chart.
Edwards and the defensive line were the most recent example of that, sacking Russell Wilson six times in Sunday's win over Denver despite missing Jeffery Simmons, Bud Dupree, and Harold Landry from the starting group.
Perhaps it's Edwards' history and chemistry with Denico Autry that has made him so successful. Perhaps it's the talented players around him and the defensive schemes. Perhaps it's Mike Vrabel, Shane Bowen, and this coaching staff that have given him new motivation or purpose.
Whatever it is, it's working, and the Jaguars are probably wondering how they already managed to lose to the Titans before even playing them. Edwards is the one that got away.
Image via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
