Treylon Burks update has massive impact on Titans WR core
The latest update on Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks should have a big impact on the Titans WR core. Burks was placed on Injured Reserve on Saturday with turf toe, requiring him to miss at least four games, per NFL rules. Because of the bye week, Burks will not be eligible to return […]
The latest update on Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks should have a big impact on the Titans WR core.
Burks was placed on Injured Reserve on Saturday with turf toe, requiring him to miss at least four games, per NFL rules. Because of the bye week, Burks will not be eligible to return until November 13th, when the Titans host the Denver Broncos.
This designation likely means Burks has grade two turf toe, which often sidelines a player from 3-6 weeks with some damage to the ligaments in their toe.
More importantly, the designation means the Titans wide receiving core, which has already been subpar, has taken another huge loss, and the team will need to find reinforcements.
Second-year WR Dez Fitzpatrick will receive the standard elevation to the active roster for the game in Washington, being selected over Josh Gordon and Mason Kinsey.
The Titans are only able to elevate Gordon one more time before they are required to sign him to the active roster. That potentially factored in to the team's decision.
The Impact
Regardless of the this week's elevation, the Titans are going to need help at the wide receiver position. The return of Racey McMath remains a question mark, and without Burks, the Titans are hard pressed for playmaking talent out wide.
That help may come from internal options taking the next step and receiving a bigger role in the offense. That could (although less likely) come from the free agent market and acquiring an available veteran.
Odell Beckham Jr., T.Y. Hilton, Cyril Grayson, and Will Fuller highlight some of the top names available in free agency.
As for the immediate impact, expect to see a heavier dose of Cody Hollister and Kyle Philips in the offense on Sunday, joining Woods and NWI as regulars. Hollister took just 11 snaps (20%) on offense against the Colts, while Philips took just two (4%).
Burks' 35 snaps will have to go somewhere, and Hollister seems likely to take a good chunk of it. The Titans valued the size and blocking abilities of Burks while he was on the field, and Hollister is the best suited to fill that role and block at the second-level.
Philips, who was Ryan Tannehill's favorite target in Week One, is now finally returning to full health after his shoulder injury kept him off the field for a majority of the last three games.
With the chemistry building between Tannehill and Robert Woods down the field, getting targets back towards Philips in the slot could go a long way to opening up the playbook and field for the offense.
Whoever it is, someone has to step up, and Jon Robinson needs to be making phone calls.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
