Latest Treylon Burks update signals what should be the end of failed Titans experiment
An series of unfortunate events has befallen the former first-round pick
NASHVILLE — It is not wide receiver Treylon Burks' fault that his 2024 is over. Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan announced on Wednesday that the former first-round pick would finish the year on Injured Reserve.
Burks sustained a non-contact ACL injury during an October practice that ultimately ended up requiring season-ending surgery.
Treylon Burks Titans Experiment Should Be Over
Tennessee tried to salvage Burks' career this year under Callahan, but this latest injury should effectively end that experiment.
"Initially, it was a loose ACL that wasn't fully torn," said Callahan of Burks' injury. "And so, they had to go to see some doctors and specialists. And some weeks went by after he went on IR, but he eventually had to have ACL surgery."
Since being drafted by former Titans general manager Jon Robinson in a deal that famously involved losing A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2022 18th overall choice and another fourth-round pick that year, Burks' tenure has been an unending disaster. Multiple knee strains, two concussions and now this ACL repair have robbed him of critical time needed for him to develop as an NFL receiver. This year's injury means that Burks will have played only 33.06% of the Titans offensive snaps to date.
That is unacceptable for any rostered NFL player, much less a first-round pick.
Burks remains under contract through the 2025 season, with the expectation that the team will decline his fifth-year option. Waiving him for another team to claim next season only makes sense if the Titans finally address their wideout issues in Day 1 or 2 of the draft as well as fortify the position (again) through free agency. Should Burks find himself at the bottom of the depth chart come next training camp, all options should be explored before outright parting ways.
Even when Burks has been available, he has not been reliable.
Through three NFL season, Burks has a career catch percentage of 57.6 (53 catches on 92 targets), totaled 699 yards receiving and has caught only one touchdown pass. Waiting for Burks to break through has been wholly unproductive.
He cannot be a part of Tennessee's current rebuild if it is to be a successful one.
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Another catastrophic loss brings greater scrutiny.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
