Titans speculation becomes reality in Nicholas Petit-Frere’s first practice
NASHVILLE — With Andre Dillard struggling at left tackle and Nicholas Petit-Frere being reinstated by the NFL earlier than expected, there has been a lot of speculation about what the Tennessee Titans are going to do with the offensive line moving forward. Is there a world where the Titans move away from Dillard? Who would […]
NASHVILLE — With Andre Dillard struggling at left tackle and Nicholas Petit-Frere being reinstated by the NFL earlier than expected, there has been a lot of speculation about what the Tennessee Titans are going to do with the offensive line moving forward.
Is there a world where the Titans move away from Dillard? Who would replace him if they did? And where does Petit-Frere fit in with Chris Hubbard playing adequately at right tackle in his absence?
During Petit-Frere's first regular season practice back with the team on Wednesday, we got some of those answers.
Petit-Frere was working on the left side of the line during practice drills on Wednesday. That's not something we've seen much of (if at all) since he joined the Titans in 2022.
At Ohio State, NPF did a little bit of everything. He was the starting right tackle for the Buckeyes in 2020 before transitioning to the left side in 2021 as as second-year starter.
During NPF's rookie year with the Titans, veteran Taylor Lewan had the left tackle position locked down during all of training camp and Petit-Frere competed with Dillon Radunz for the starting right tackle job. NPF won that battle and started 16 games at right tackle as a rookie.
While he has done it in college, we've yet to see how NPF can hold things down on the left side at the NFL level. But with the Titans searching for their best five up front, this is the perfect time to start working him over there.
One practice doesn't necessarily mean that Dillard's days are numbered or that a change is imminent. But it certainly means the Titans are exploring all options with Petit-Frere. This could mean he's the left tackle replacement for Dillard. This could also mean he's just a valuable swing tackle in the rotation.
This was mere conjecture before. But after seeing him do it in practice, Petit-Frere playing left tackle is real possibility.
Mike Vrabel, Titans have tough decision to make with return of Nicholas Petit-Frere
Tough call for the Titans.
