The Titans are feeling the effects of a hard fought game in Kansas City
The Tennessee Titans defense left it all on the field Sunday night, playing a hard fought and physical game all the way down to the wire against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Tennessee's offense picking up just one first down in the entire second half and overtime combined and Patrick Mahomes on the opposing sideline, […]
The Tennessee Titans defense left it all on the field Sunday night, playing a hard fought and physical game all the way down to the wire against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With Tennessee's offense picking up just one first down in the entire second half and overtime combined and Patrick Mahomes on the opposing sideline, the Titans defense did not have an easy night.
When the dust settled, a number of Titans defenders had played all 100 defensive snaps in the game on Sunday night. That's right, 100 defensive snaps battling one of the NFL's best offensive units.
The Titans are now beginning to feel the effects of their effort, with a laundry list injury report on Wednesday highlighted by a number of defensive starters either limited or not participating in practice.
While the light workload is likely to be more rest related than injury related in some cases, one injury development is cause for concern for the Titans moving forward.
Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who did not practice on Wednesday, walked through the Titans locker room in a walking boot this afternoon.
The Titans need Simmons back as quickly as possibly, but more importantly than that, the Titans need Simmons healthy as quickly as possible. There's a difference.
I'd say Tennessee is better off giving Simmons some rest, even if that means him not playing against Denver this weekend, in order to have him at full strength for their long-term goals.
"It's football, man," Simmons told the media when asked how he was feeling following Sunday's game. "I don't know. I need to get healthy. I'm a bit banged up, but I'll be good."
Playing 81 (of the 100) defensive snaps on an already banged up ankle probably wasn't what the doctor ordered for Simmons to get back to 100 percent.
The Titans shouldn't mess around with this. They need to bite the bullet now. Simmons is still feeling that last game on his body, and he has earned himself some rest. While he will undoubtedly push to be out there, his long-term health needs to be of the upmost importance to this team.
Luckily the Titans have afforded themselves some breathing room at the top of the AFC South. They should take advantage of it.
Image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
