The unsung hero of the Titans' 2-2 start
After an ugly 0-2 start and facing the adversity of significant injuries, the Tennessee Titans have battled back to .500 and climbed into contention. The Titans improved to to 2-2 with their 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. So much of the Titans' season has left meat on the bone thus far. From […]
After an ugly 0-2 start and facing the adversity of significant injuries, the Tennessee Titans have battled back to .500 and climbed into contention.
The Titans improved to to 2-2 with their 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
So much of the Titans' season has left meat on the bone thus far. From the inconsistent run game, to the second half struggles, to the special teams blunders, the Titans have not played up to their standards.
But in the times they've needed it most, DL Denico Autry has stepped up and played hero for Tennessee.
In the wake of Harold Landry's torn ACL, the Titans defense needed someone to step up and help them win the battle in the trenches. That's exactly what Autry has done.
Autry has arguably been the one member of Tennessee's defense who has brought it each and every night. Even when things got ugly in Buffalo, Autry still came to play, and I still don't think he's getting enough recognition for what he's brought to the Titans defense this season.
Through four games in 2022, Autry has three sacks, six quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
On Sunday in Indianapolis, he was the ultimate game changer. Autry had three quarterback hits and two sacks, including a strip sack of Matt Ryan (against Quenton Nelson) and a fourth quarter sack to save the game and fend off a potential Colts comeback.
Autry's high level of play has earned him the praise of many, including Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel spoke highly of Autry following Sunday's game, sharing his excitement that Autry is having such a large impact on the team:
"It's just really cool the type of player he is. He's savvy," Vrabel told the media. "It started in training camp. The way that he practiced before hurting his hand, you could just see that he was dialed in and was gonna find a way to help us and certainly impact the game."
Vrabel also shared that Autry has battled with "getting in his own way" while in Tennessee, and was happy to see the veteran defensive lineman play up to his ability.
"He just wants to help us so bad each and every week," said Vrabel. "He knows how valuable he is to our football team, and I love who he is and what he's always been about in this league from his journey."
Autry would later acknowledge Vrabel's comments and the old habits that have held him back in the past. "I take stuff to heart. I take things serious. I make a bad play, I might let it linger, so thats what he means by letting stuff go and playing ball," Autry shared.
Autry is certainly playing ball. The impact he has had on the Titans defensive performance to begin the season cannot be mentioned enough. At 32-years old, he currently paces for the most productive season of his nine year NFL career, and is taking a step up for a defensive unit and locker room that needed it.
The former Colts is proving to be the one who got away from Indy, and after killing his former team on Sunday, he's got his Titans squad on the fast track to another AFC South crown.
Image via Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
