The Tennessee Titans hit the gridiron tonight in the Week One finale against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. It has been one of the most unusual offseasons in the NFL’s 100-year history, with the shortened pre-season and COVID-related protocols. In addition, early injuries that typically occur in the pre-season when players are working out more, are now leaving teams in a bit of a bind to kick off the 2020 season.

The Titans have their own issues in terms of a few key players on the team. After inking Vic Beasle to a one-year deal with the potential to earn $10 million, the Titans have yet to see him at full strength. Beasley, the NFL’s leader in sacks during the 2016 campaign, mysteriously absent for the first ten days of Titans camp, accruing $500,000 in fines from the team. Beasley is also battling a lingering knee injury and has been ruled out of Monday night’s contest.

Although Beasley won’t be suiting up, the newly signed Jadeveon Clowney will be ready to go in the season opener. The addition of Clowney softens the blow at the edge rusher position. While the team would surely prefer to have Beasley available, the Titans’ pass rush should manage just fine with Harold Landry III and Clowney causing havoc in the pocket for Broncos QB Drew Lock.

The Titans’ pass rush suffered another loss this week as Derrick Roberson will not be taking the field in Denver tonight. He also is dealing with a knee injury. Roberson is a situational pass rusher, often used primarily on third downs when the opposing team is assumed to be airing the ball out. While Roberson’s absence is not expected have a true impact on the result of the game, depth is a luxury when teams travel to Mile High Stadium. Issues of stamina and oxygen depletion often arise in this city, which sits at an altitude of over 5,000 feet above sea level.

Adoree Jackson was an unfortunate surprise on Saturday’s injury report. Jackson will be unable to play as the Titans’ starting cornerback is forced out with a knee injury of his own. Jackson is a significant loss to a Titans’ secondary that is depending on production out of the fourth-year corner. Jackson is expected to carry the biggest workload of his career this season after the team elected not to bring Logan Ryan back.

The Titans’ second-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Kristian Fulton, will step into Jackson’s shoes as the rookie is likely to see plenty of action in his NFL debut.

The Titans also signed veteran cornerback Jonathan Joseph in the offseason. Joseph provides an element of depth to one of the most important positions in football.

Tennessee will be without rookies Isaiah Wilson and Darrynton Evans on Monday night as well. Wilson’s troubles with law enforcement since arriving in Tennessee are well documented. His latest encounter was on Friday night, when he was arrested on a DUI charge after losing control of his car doing “donuts” in a Nashville intersection. The Titans’ first rounder was on the team’s COVID Reserve List at the time of his arrest.

Evans is another rookie that will have to wait at least another week before making his NFL debut. Evans was selected in the third-round of the 2020 NFL Draft and is thought to be the team’s complement to Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry. When healthy, Evans provides a pass catching threat out of the backfield that has big play ability.

Corey Davis is listed as questionable on the Titans’ injury report, but after having full participation in practice on Friday and Saturday, Davis is on track to play Monday night.

Jamil Douglas rounds out the injury report as the offensive lineman is dealing with a hand injury.

 

Featured image via Donald Page – Tennessee Titans


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