Replacements for Teair Tart on the Titans defense
NASHVILLE — With Jeffery Simmons missing time due to a knee injury and Kyle Peko (calf) placed on Injured Reserve, the Tennessee Titans were already thin on interior defensive linemen. But with the unraveling of Teair Tart's Titans career resulting in him being released this week, the team's depth took another significant blow. Who do […]
NASHVILLE — With Jeffery Simmons missing time due to a knee injury and Kyle Peko (calf) placed on Injured Reserve, the Tennessee Titans were already thin on interior defensive linemen.
But with the unraveling of Teair Tart's Titans career resulting in him being released this week, the team's depth took another significant blow. Who do the Titans even have that could help them for the remainder of the 2023 season?
Here's a look at the most likely replacements for Tart and the Titans' defensive line options this weekend against the Houston Texans.
Jaleel Johnson
Before recent transactions, the only interior defensive lineman that was on Tennessee's 53-man roster and fully healthy was…wait for it…Jaleel Johnson. What a difference a few weeks can make.
Just a few weeks ago, the Titans waived Johnson in a series of roster moves sand the 29-year-old veteran let his frustration be heard on social media on his way out the door. "They so worried about tryna fix the defense when we're not the problem. F***ing put the tape on and watch," Johnson tweeted after being cut.
Despite these posts, the Titans brought Johnson back to the 53-man roster. Johnson later spoke to the media and apologized to his teammates and coaches for expressing his frustration in an unprofessional manner. He owned it and did not shy away from the difficult questions, putting it to bed once and for all.
But still…having him sit at the top of the defensive line depth chart is a wild turn of events for Johnson.
Recent Acquisitions
Given the dire need for defensive line help (and likely preparing for the release of Tart), the Titans signed two defensive lineman to the active roster this week.
Quinton Bohanna, 24, was signed off the Detroit Lions practice squad. Meanwhile, rookie Keondre Coburn, 23, was brought in from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bohanna was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and has since appeared in 30 regular season games. With Dallas, Bohanna made 10 starts and recorded 29 tackles from 2021-2022. In August, Bohanna was waived and signed to the Lions' practice squad. He was elevated for three games this season and has made three tackles and two tackles for loss.
Coburn was Kansas City's sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft back in April. He has only appeared in one game this season and made one tackle. But Coburn does have some intriguing upside. He's incredibly strong and was a 45-game starterat the University of Texas.
"Guys that we've watched throughout the course of the year. Looked at some young players at this point in time. Both interior defensive linemen that can give us—have played," said TItans head coach Mike Vrabel when asked about the recently acquireed players. "Q (Quinton Bohanna) has been active three games and has played probably 25 plays-a-game in three games. And so, big body, looked like he played with decent pad level, and excited to work with him and Keondre (Coburn)."
Other options for the Titans include players who could be elevated from Tennessee's practice squad such as Marlon Davidson or Ross Blacklock. UPDATE: Marlon Davidson has been elevated from the practice squad. He will be active on Sunday.
The Titans will take on the division rival Houston Texans from Nissan Stadium at 12 p.m. CST on Sunday, December 17th.
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