BUFFALO – The Tennessee Titans front office was proactive about filling as many roster holes as possible in the offseason.

Tennessee was Top 3 in free agent spending, acquiring veteran talent to support quarterback Will Levis in his sophomore NFL season. 

The Titans, however, did not make a quality addition at the right tackle position. That oversight has had severe consequences during the regular season. Regardless of who is playing right tackle or quarterback, Tennessee is still getting burned by that choice.

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Right Tackle Disaster 

Nicholas Petit-Frere won the starting right tackle job out of training camp, but after allowing 9 pressures in Week 2 and nearly getting Will Levis killed against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, the Titans made a change to second-year man Jaelyn Duncan. 

Duncan didn't perform much better in relief, and his practice efforts the ensuing week got him sat back on the bench for Monday Night Football in Miami.

Veteran Leroy Watson was then signed to the active roster and named the starter before Tennessee's game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6.

Watson had his ups and downs in his start. He was penalized three times and allowed two pressures, but did not surrender a sack or quarterback hit. That's an improvement from the play the Titans have been getting from the position so far this season.

Brian Callahan gave a half-hearted review of Watson's performance after the game. "I thought he played okay. I wouldn't say that position is locked down by any stretch and we'll see," said Callahan.

"We're trying to find an answer there. We haven't got the caliber of player that's required to have a right tackle that can function. And so far, its results have been not where we need them to be. And so, Leroy [Watson] wasn't terrible, but he wasn't great and we'll keep looking at it."

After keeping his options open throughout the week of practice, the Titans made a surprise decision to make Watson a healthy scratch for the game in Buffalo. Petit-Frere went to the bench while Jaelyn Duncan was given a chance to start. 

One possession into the game, Duncan was sidelined with a hamstring injury and NPF was given another opportunity. He continued to get bullied, give up detrimental sacks, and pick up untimely penalties. 

Duncan hurt, NPF struggling as usual, and Leroy Watson watching from the couch despite being the one guy who seemed capable of protecting the quarterback. 

Titans to start Mason Rudolph over Will Levis during Week 7 matchup against Bills, per sources

BUFFALO — Veteran backup quarterback Mason Rudolph will start for the Tennessee Titans against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, multiple sources confirm to A to Z Sports.  News initially reported by Paul Kuharsky. Levis was officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report on Friday. The second-year quarterback has been nursing a right shoulder […]