As first reported by Adam Schefter and Buck Reising of AtoZ Sports, Tennessee Titans starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season for a violation of the league's gambling policy.

The suspension is not for betting on the NFL games, but for placing a wager from inside the team facility, which is a violation. 

Petit-Frere, who was drafted by Tennessee in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, started 16 games for the Titans as a rookie and was being relied upon to hold down the right side of the offensive line this season. So what do the Titans do now?

Well, if we’re being totally honest about the situation in Nashville, there really aren’t many desirable options at the moment. Petit-Frere's poor judgement is going to hurt the team is a big way because the Titans have limited offensive line depth (especially at tackle) and hardly any experience behind the projected starting five. This is really something they couldn't afford to have happen.

Dillon Radunz would have been the ideal replacement due to his experience at the position, but I don’t expect Radunz back for Week 1. Head coach Mike Vrabel said during OTAs that Radunz was not going to participate in training camp as he recovers from the ACL surgery he got in December. For the time being, that option is off the table.

In minicamp and OTAs, Jaelyn Duncan and John Ojukwu both got time at right tackle. If you were to look up Tennessee's current depth chart, Duncan probably shows up as the next in line for the starting job, but I'm not sure either Duncan or Ojukwu are ready for regular playing time in the NFL.

Duncan was the Titans' sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and Ojukwu signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State. Most draft experts loved the blend of size, length and strength in Ojukwu and thought he would get drafted at some point on day three. There is a lot of upside to both prospects, but "Week 1 starter" is probably not a title the Titans had in mind when scouting them.

Another potential in-house solution for the Titans, and in my opinion the one that makes the most sense, would involve shifting a current starter to right tackle and filling the hole inside. One of the things Tennessee liked most about free agent acquisition Daniel Brunskill was his ability to play all five offensive line positions.

Over his four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Brunskill has played all over the line. That includes 310 high quality snaps at right tackle split between 2022 and 2019. 

Making Brunskill your starting right tackle to begin the season would mean filling the hole left behind at right guard. But between Jordan Roos and Corey Levin, the Titans should have that covered. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a reunion with former center Ben Jones, who is still a free agent and could be looking to play again in 2023. 

This situation with Petit-Frere is exactly why the Titans value versatility so highly. Having flexibility with your roster really matters when adversity comes along and you are forced to shake things up. None of the presented options are ideal, but Tennessee will have to get by with what's out there to recover from NPF's major mistake.

Sources: Titans starter involved in NFL’s upcoming gambling suspensions

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans were hit with a significant blow this week when they learned that second-year right tackle, Nicholas Petit-Frere, is expected to be suspended for six games, according to sources. The infraction committed was a violation of the NFL's gambling policy. Petit-Frere's suspension is expected to cost the young offensive lineman six […]