Devastating and untimely injury ends the season of breakout Titans player
NASHVILLE – Just as momentum was starting to build and his production was at an all-time high, things came crashing down for Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens on Sunday. Gibbens suffered a broken ankle against the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbens was serving as the honorary sixth Titans captain in the game, a result of his hard […]
NASHVILLE – Just as momentum was starting to build and his production was at an all-time high, things came crashing down for Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens on Sunday.
Gibbens suffered a broken ankle against the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbens was serving as the honorary sixth Titans captain in the game, a result of his hard work and outstanding play in recent weeks.
After being benched shortly before the regular season when the Titans traded for Ernest Jones IV, Gibbens earned his starting role back upon Jones' departure. He was playing the best football of his NFL career after returning as a defensive starter. In his last two games before Sunday, Gibbens made 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.
Tennessee defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said "a light had gone on" when it came to Gibbens. Last week, Gibbens told me that he attributes his improvement to clearing his head, thinking less, and having more confidence.
"I feel like I'm playing with a lot of confidence right now. I feel like I was thinking too much before and now, understanding the defense more, I don't have to think so much. I'm just kind of playing free, reacting, playing aggressive," Gibbens told me.
"[Watching Ernest Jones IV from the sideline] just kind of made me realize…Clear my head and trust myself. A lot of stuff is outside of my control. A lot of stuff I can't be thinking about and when I'm out there thinking, I don't play as fast and I don't play as well."
Gibbens was playing so well that the Titans had felt no need to play LB Jerome Baker, an NFL veteran who was acquired when Jones was traded away. But now Tennessee has no choice.
Brian Callahan confirmed for reporters after the game that Gibbens was going to miss the rest of the season. No surprise given the severity of the injury, but still devastating news at the worst time possible for Gibbens.
This is an undrafted free agent that started playing college football at Abilene Christian. Gibbens is beloved by his teammates, which was clear to see by how the Titans sideline emptied onto the field to show Gibbens support as he was being carted off.
Gibbens will be missed in the Titans defense. Although, with the team sitting at 2-8, the on-field ramifications don't seem to hold anywhere near the weight that the personal side of this does.
Gibbens is a restricted free agent this offseason whose future with the organization now hangs in the balance. I'm hoping we see him back in two-tone blue next year pick up right where he left off.
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