Where the Tennessee Titans are trending coming out of their bye week
NASHVILLE — It is a cliché to say that no team ever needed a bye week as badly as the 2021 Tennessee Titans (8-4) did. 18 players on Injured Reserve and a slew of other bodies that are week-to-week propositions make it tough to dispute. Now, Mike Vrabel's team needs to be ready for the stretch […]
NASHVILLE — It is a cliché to say that no team ever needed a bye week as badly as the 2021 Tennessee Titans (8-4) did. 18 players on Injured Reserve and a slew of other bodies that are week-to-week propositions make it tough to dispute.
Now, Mike Vrabel's team needs to be ready for the stretch run.
When last we saw the Titans, they were coming off of a second consecutive loss. Dropping the 36-13 blunder on the road against the New England Patriots (8-4) knocked Tennessee out of the top postseason position in the AFC. Week 13's results have improved the Titans' standing without them even taking the field.
Losses by the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders helped send Tennessee back into the No. 2 seed. Buffalo failed to do Vrabel and Co. another favor by losing to the Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Titans next opponent
Week 14 will see the Titans host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) in Nashville.
![Tennessee Titans cornerback Chris Jackson (35) celebrates with teammate Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) after he intercepted a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) to end Sunday's game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, October 10, 2021. The Jaguars trailed at the half 24 to 13 and lost with a final score of 37-19. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Jki 101021 Jaguarsvstitans 37](http://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1236-syndication-florida-times-union.jpg)
Jacksonville helped the Los Angeles Rams snap a three-game skid in Week 13 that LA's been on since losing to Tennessee. With Urban Meyer a the helm, the Jags have now dropped four consecutive games after a five-game slide to start their season.
This is a franchise that seems destined for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Titans defeated Meyer in Jacksonville 37-19 and will need a season sweep of the AFC South's sorriest franchise to keep the high ground on a pesky Indianapolis Colts (7-6) team. Tennessee need only beat the Jaguars to maintain their grip on the division, but losing to the lowly Houston Texans three weeks ago does little to assuage concerns.
Will Tennessee get anyone back from injury this week
Yes, in fact. They already have.
The Titans made several transactions on Monday, including a green light for Julio Jones to return to practice. Jones will remain on Injured Reserve until he is activated to the 53-man roster. Any sign of life from Tennessee's missing playmakers is welcome at this point.
The veteran receiver's presence has not had the impact anyone would have hoped for thus far. Jones is second on the team in on-target passes dropped (3) and has played in only six games this season. He has amassed a paltry 21 receptions for 336 yards and no scores. Where Jones has made a difference in 2021 is helping give the Titans offense even the slightest threat of a downfield passing game. Jones' average depth of target comes in at third on the team this season (12.4).
Tennessee has been trying to paper cut defenses to death using a skill position corps of Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (9.9), Chester Rodgers (9.4) and Cody Hollister (5.8). Rookie Dez Fitzpatrick has been an option downfield as of late with an average depth of target of 14.9, but has only been targeted eight times on the season.
All three of the Titans top wideouts (Jones, A.J. Brown and Marcus Johnson) are currently on IR. Johnson's second injured reserve stint means that his year is over.
Outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper was added to the practice squad. Wide receiver Racey McMath and safety Dane Cruikshank were designated to return to practice along with Jones. Veteran linebacker John Simon was released from the active roster and tight end Austin Fort was restored to the Practice Squad from the Practice Squad Reserve – COVID 19 list.
What about Derrick Henry?
Vrabel gave an on-brand response to that question on Monday when asked about the status of the Titans star running back.
"He won’t be out there this week," said Vrabel. "He won’t be out there this week, that is all I can tell you. I think he is doing OK."
Tennessee is optimistic that Henry, who underwent successful surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, can return this season. Despite missing the last five weeks of action on IR, Henry is still the NFL's third-leading rusher with 937 yards this season. It took Joe Mixon an additional 54 yards in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday to unseat Henry from second place.
Featured Image: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports.
