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[Tennessee Titans]

Titans to open Tyjae Spears window to return from IR

Tyjae Spears started the season on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason. Ian Rapoport reported this morning that the Tennessee Titans are expected to open his practice window this week. That gives the Titans three weeks to either activate him or place him on season-ending IR.

Getting Spears back should give the offense at least a slight bump. That gives them another option outside of Tony Pollard in the run game, and Spears is a good receiver out of the backfield. I cannot wait to see them try a screen to him that goes for zero yards.

Spears has been with the Titans since they drafted him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has 765 yards rushing and six touchdowns in his career.

The Titans made a couple more moves today on the practice squad:

Practice squad moves for the @Titans:

Added:
RB Blake Watson
DB Alex Johnson

Waived:
RB Raheem Blackshear
OT Andrew Rupcich

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 29, 2025

It’s a little bit surprising to see them waive Rupcich. If I were the Titans, I would be keeping every single offensive tackle I could get my hands on.

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...to-open-tyjae-spears-window-to-return-from-ir

 

[Tennessee Titans]

NFL power rankings week five and the Tennessee Titans

Well, this should be fun. I am typing this intro before I have looked at any power rankings. I will be shocked if anyone has the Tennessee Titans not ranked 32nd. There are other 0-4 teams, but no one, and I mean absolutely no one, has looked as inept as the Titans. The only reason someone doing these rankings wouldn’t have the Titans ranked last would be if they haven’t actually watched them play. I’ll be honest, I’m kind of jealous of that person.

Here we go:

CBS: 31

How much longer does Brian Callahan have as the coach? Getting shutout by the Texans is not a good look.

Sports Illustrated: 31

I wrote about what I see as the Brian Callahan era possibly coming to an end. This is going to be a fascinating test of new leadership in Tennessee and the bad habits of existing ownership. Can new general manager Mike Borgonzi, who, by all accounts, has fared well in his first draft class, translate his skill set to reading the room?

NBC Sports: 32

They’re lucky relegation isn’t a thing.

ESPN: 32

The Titans have struggled mightily to score points, leading to their first 0-4 start since 2009. They’re averaging 1.8 red zone visits per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. They failed to reach the red zone at all against the Texans. And the rare occasions when the Titans reached the red zone in the first three weeks weren’t fruitful, either. Their 48.6% red zone touchdown conversion rate is sixth worst in the league. — Turron Davenport

The Athletic: 32

The first-round quarterback has shown flashes on the field and takes the Week 4 candor award for saying about his team after Sunday’s loss: “We ass.” Fourth-round wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has been a bright spot and was targeted seven times Sunday. He only caught two of those passes, but he still led the team with 44 receiving yards. He has 12 catches for 151 yards on the season.

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...r-rankings-week-five-and-the-tennessee-titans

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Titans head coaching candidates: Hot-Shot 1st-Timers

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to a game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

Yesterday morning, we published an article on potential Tennessee Titans head coaching candidates. That article featured retread candidates such as Brian Flores and Mike McCarthy. Brian Callahan hasn’t been fired yet, but it feels inevitable, so we’re continuing to look at potential successors.

Today’s exercise focuses on the alternative candidates, the hot-shot first-timers. Callahan was of this variety, rising up the coaching ranks after an impressive stint as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator (though he didn’t call plays). NFL fans are most excited when their team hires a coordinator, as the retread is often categorized as “boring.”

If the Titans go the first-timer route again, these candidates will be among the popular league-wide options.

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills OC​

Joe Brady projects as the hottest candidate in the league come January. The Buffalo Bills are 4-0 and Josh Allen is the reigning MVP. Before the Titans seriously consider Brady, they need to ask why he’s thrived with Joe Burrow and Allen, but struggled in Carolina. Unfortunately, the Callahan mistake means the Titans need to approach this process with caution.

Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers DC​

The 42-year-old Jesse Minter won a National Championship at Michigan with Jim Harbaugh and now he’s thriving alongside him at the NFL level with the Los Angeles Chargers. Minter also worked under John Harbaugh in Baltimore, a path that’s proved fruitful for Mike Macdonald and the success he’s having in Seattle. He’s worked at other programs such as Notre Dame and Vanderbilt, and his father was the former head coach at Cincinnati.

Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens OC​

Why has the 59-year-old Todd Monken never been an NFL head coach? That’s a legitimate question. The former Knox College quarterback has done outstanding work with the Ravens and Lamar Jackson as one of the most flexible coordinators in the league. He has head coaching experience, leading Southern Miss from 2013-15. Monken would be terrific for Cam Ward’s development.

Jeff Hafley, Green Bay Packers DC​

Jeff Hafley was Boston College’s head coach for four seasons (2020-23). Titans GM Mike Borgonzi is from Massachusetts and worked at BC in 2007-08. They’re surely familiar with one another. Hafley is advancing his resume as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator this season.

Chris Shula, Los Angeles Rams DC​

How many Sean McVay assistants get head coaching jobs? Chris Shula could be next. The legendary Shula family has produced another prodigy as the fast-rising 39-year-old is excelling as McVay’s defensive coordinator this year. He’ll get interviews.

Others who could garner consideration; Mike Kafka (Giants OC), Adam Stenavich (Packers OC), Kevin Patullo (Eagles OC), Drew Petzing (Cardinals OC), Bobby Babich (Bills DC), Klint Kubiak (Seahawks OC).

Kafka worked with Borgonzi in KC and has received interviews in the past. Stenavich is working under Matt LaFleur and spent multiple seasons with Chad Brinker in GB. Patullo nearly crossed paths with Borgonzi in KC and also crossed paths with Dennard Wilson in Philadelphia (probably not notable).

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...-head-coaching-candidates-hot-shot-1st-timers

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Titans missing two starters at Wednesday practice

Well, we are officially on week four of JC Latham’s injury. The Tennessee Titans chose not to put Latham on injured reserve after he was injured in the week one loss to the Denver Broncos. That decision will look foolish if Latham isn’t able to go this week. Of course, Latham would not have healed any quicker had he been on IR, but the Titans could have had an extra roster spot to play with for the last month.

Calvin Ridley also missed practice on Wednesday. He didn’t play much, if at all, in the loss to the Houston Texans last week. There was some buzz about the reason for that, but Brian Callahan said on Monday that it was because of an injury. He did come up limping at one point in the second half, but he did play at least a few more plays after that happened.

As always, there is the disclaimer that today is just Wednesday. Guys, especially veterans like Ridley, can miss Wednesday at times without it being a big deal. It is something to keep an eye on as the week progresses.

Bryce Oliver and Blake Hance also missed Wednesday’s practice.

Full Titans injury report from Wednesday:

.@Titans Injury Report from Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/6FBkPREQiu

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 1, 2025

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...ns-missing-two-starters-at-wednesday-practice

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Titans LB Cedric Gray had a career-best day in Week 4

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 22: Cedric Gray #51 of the Tennessee Titans in coverage during an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

There weren’t really any positive takeaways from the Tennessee Titans’ embarrassing shutout loss to the Houston Texans. If there’s one player whose performance was worthwhile, it was sophomore linebacker Cedric Gray. Gray enjoyed a career-best day, making a personal-high 17 tackles on defense.

Pro Football Focus also saw Gray’s performance in a positive light. His 90.2 overall defensive grade and 90.0 run-defense grade were both career highs. Gray was PFF’s second-highest graded overall linebacker in Week 4, trailing just superstar ‘backer Fred Warner (90.9).

What’s perhaps most impressive is Gray wasn’t credited with a single missed tackle. PFF had him with an 18-tackle day (12 solo tackles, six assists). Gray was credited with six run stops, a positive result for the defense that constitutes a “failure” for the offense, per their definition. It was the most single-game tackles by a Titans LB since Akeem Ayers in Week 3, 2012 (vs. DET), per James Foster.

Cedric Gray had 17 tackles yesterday, most for a Titans LB in a single game since Akeem Ayers in Week 3, 2012 (vs. DET) pic.twitter.com/JCR7tiBFK9

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 29, 2025

Gray’s performance was particularly notable. After playing a significant amount of snaps in Weeks 1 and 2, the sophomore fourth-rounder saw his playing-time cut by a large margin in Week 3, with practice squad call-up Kyzir White getting a rotational opportunity. Gray was back to a full workload versus the Texans, and the coaching staff will think twice about benching him again.

If Gray struggled in one area in Houston, it was as a coverage defender. PFF credited him with allowing six receptions on six targets. Those catches only gained 54 yards, less than a first-down conversion (9.0) per completion. Coverage continues to be a weak-point of Gray’s game, however.

The winless Titans are searching for answers. Gray isn’t a surefire long-term solution yet, but the sophomore linebacker is enjoying a much better season after watching his rookie campaign be totally derailed by injury. The Titans were totally embarrassed in Houston, but Gray’s arrow continues to trend upwards.

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...b-cedric-gray-had-a-career-best-day-in-week-4

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Checking in on how Bo Hardegree did in his first game calling plays for the Titans

The Tennessee Titans got shut out and didn’t even get into the red zone in their loss to the Houston Texans. That really tells you all you need to know about Bo Hardegree’s first game calling plays. We know it was bad, but just how bad was it? Let me show you a couple of charts:

Bo Hardegree broke the chart in his first week of play calling with the Titans after taking over for Brian Callahan.

What are the best potential landing spots for Joe Brady if he’s hired as a head coach this offseason? pic.twitter.com/BL9Oe8CI3r

— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 1, 2025

As the tweet says, Hardegree broke the chart in the wrong direction. Maybe he shouldn’t have tried all of those trick plays in the first half? After reading about the success that Hardegree had when he took over calling plays for the Raiders, I actually had some hope that we would get a bump in offensive production. We did not.

For the season, both the offensive playcallers and Dennard Wilson, the defensive playcaller, have been really bad:

Week 5 Play Caller Rankings

Andy Reid and the Chiefs take the top spot after a dominant performance last Sunday.

Only three NFC teams are in the top 10; the Lions, Eagles, and Seahawks. pic.twitter.com/SgjC5asasE

— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 1, 2025

I’m not sure exactly what those numbers mean, but when the gap between number 1 and number 31 is almost as big as the gap between number 31 and the Titans at number 32, you know it’s really bad.

The only positive here is that the Titans will have new playcallers on both sides of the ball next year.

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...n-his-first-game-calling-plays-for-the-titans

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Calvin Ridley and JC Latham miss second straight day of Titans practice

Both Calvin Ridley and JC Latham were listed as “did not practice” for the second straight day. Jim Wyatt did say that Ridley was seen doing some work on a side field. That does give some hope that he will be able to go on Sunday when the Tennessee Titans face the Arizona Cardinals. He probably needs to at least get a limited practice in tomorrow to have a chance.

JC Latham also missed his second straight day of practice. I will save you the dialogue on them not putting Latham on injured reserve after the week one loss to the Denver Broncos. Latham seems like a lock to miss his fourth straight game.

Tyjae Spears, who has been on injured reserve, was listed as limited once again today. The Titans opened his return window this week, so there is a chance he can go on Sunday. He looks pretty healthy from the videos posted on Twitter:

A spin move from @Titans RB Tyjae Spears @tyjae22 in Thursday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/1vLZNiNm96

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 2, 2025

Spears would give the Titans a little boost on offense. At the very least, he could take some of the work off of Tony Pollard. Pollard has been great, but he wasn’t signed to be a bellcow.

Here is the full injury report from Thursday:

.@Titans Injury Report on Thursday pic.twitter.com/s4bGSdCSdy

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 2, 2025

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...m-miss-second-straight-day-of-titans-practice

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Why does this Titans coaching staff struggle with injury timelines?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 15: JC Latham #55 of the Tennessee Titans walks across the field during an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

The 0-4 Tennessee Titans have already been without several key starters throughout the first four weeks. The most discouraging absences have been that of their first two selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. JC Latham played half of Week 1, and T’Vondre Sweat is currently on IR after missing large portions of training camp with tonsillitis before injuring his ankle. Sweat peculiarly declared himself healthy before going on IR.

Injuries happen. The Titans are disappointed to not have Latham or Sweat available. What the Titans can control is how they respond, juggle the roster, and handle their return-to-play timelines.

There’s quite a bit of evidence to suggest Brian Callahan and his staff struggle with that. Latham exited Week 1 after re-aggravating a hip injury that was discarded as a nothing-burger in training camp. Sure, reaggravation happens. Latham wasn’t placed on IR. He’s already missed three contests and appears headed to miss a fourth this weekend.

JC Latham is trending upward and getting close. Matter of which day. #Titans.

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) October 1, 2025

That would mean the Titans should have placed Latham on IR and taken advantage of the extra roster spot. In fairness, Latham’s presence is so important to the offense, that any chance of him potentially returning to the lineup prior to the four-week minimum was worth keeping him active for. And the Titans had legitimate hope he’d be back soon.

But his example is one of several.

Rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury at training camp. It’s been further complicated by a partially torn ACL he suffered at Penn State last season. The Titans possibly overloaded his plate early in camp before he got injured. Winston Jr. wasn’t placed on the PUP or IR to begin the campaign, and he also appears headed for a fifth consecutive missed game on Sunday.

Rookie running back Kalel Mullings was first injured during the preseason. The Titans didn’t place him on IR until Friday, September 26th. Delaying the process of placing Mullings on IR will cause him to possibly miss more games than necessary.

And then there’s the 2024 L’Jarius Sneed example. Sneed injured his quad in a mid-October game with the Indianapolis Colts last season. He was placed on season-ending IR six weeks later. All parties involved described the quad injury as incredibly peculiar, but how many of these examples are supposed to be treated as rare coincidences?

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...coaching-staff-struggle-with-injury-timelines

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Titans vs. Cardinals final injury report

JC Latham has now missed four straight months of practice for the Tennessee Titans. It would be really cool if the NFL had a way where you could give that guy a status where he didn’t count against your 53 man roster, but you could still bring him back once he was healthy. Wait, they do? Someone should tell the Titans. OK, I’m done.

In addition to Latham being OUT, wide receiver Bryce Oliver, safety Mike Brown, and offensive lineman Blake Hance will all miss tomorrow’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Calvin Ridley, who missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, was able to log a limited practice on Friday. He is questionable. The Titans need him out there. Tyjae Spears is also listed as limited. He is on IR, but could be activated for the game on Sunday.

Defensive lineman James Lynch and rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. are also listed as questionable. Winston has missed the first four games with an injury. If only…

Here is the Titans’ full injury report:

.@Titans Final Injury Report vs @AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/YLJJNPXLes

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 3, 2025

Here is the final injury report for the Cardinals:

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...61948/titans-vs-cardinals-final-injury-report

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Brian Callahan doesn’t seem happy with Cam Ward’s postgame comments

Cam Ward didn’t hold anything back in his comments right after the Tennessee Titans’ 26-0 loss to the Houston Texans. In case you missed what he said, here it is:

#Titans QB Cam Ward is clearly frustrated with the lack of production on offense starting with himself. "If we keep it a buck right now, we ass." pic.twitter.com/ApQzABZBG2

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 28, 2025

First off, he didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. He also listed his issues first among the issues that he listed. Passion and accountability are two things that you love to see from your quarterback.

Well, Brian Callahan didn’t seem to be too thrilled today about the words Ward chose to show that passion and accountability:

Brian Callahan on Cam Ward: “He’s learning to grow up in the NFL and learning the weight his words carry” pic.twitter.com/uT2I45tbCf

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) October 1, 2025

I don’t know, man. This seems to me more like Callahan didn’t like Ward being so transparent with his feelings when those feelings reflected poorly on Callahan. There has been a lot of desperation from Cally lately because he knows how close he is to losing his job and probably never getting another shot to be a head coach in the NFL.

I’m sure Ward will issue some sort of apology the next time he talks to the media because Callahan has encouraged him to do so. I don’t like that. Let the kid speak his mind. People buy into that type of leadership.

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...t-seem-happy-with-cam-wards-postgame-comments

 

[Tennessee Titans]

Titans vs. Cardinals Sunday morning thoughts

Brian Callahan and the Tennessee Titans desperately need a win. File that under one of the most obvious things you have ever read. Callahan said this week that he doesn’t think there is a sense of doom in the building. That might be true right now, but you better believe that will start to slip in more and more with each passing loss. He’s not the guy going forward, but for the good of the future of the franchise, you don’t want that locker room to become a disaster.

It’s hard for me to care too much about draft position at this point in the season. Generally, I am against pulling against the team to lose just for draft position, especially this early in the season. There are a lot of good EDGE guys in the 2026 draft class. The Titans will likely be drafting in the top five. Go get a win today.

This sounds crazy to say as a Titans fan, but I don’t think the Arizona Cardinals are that good. They are also down to their third running back here. The Titans can at least cover the 8.5-point spread here, right?

One thing I am predicting for today is that Cam Ward gets his first multi-passing touchdown day of the season. You saw his passion after the loss last week. Brian Callahan might not have liked it, but I did. Ward said in training camp that he only cares about a few things in life. Winning football games is near the top of that list. He’s going to come out with renewed fire today.

Don’t forget, this is a rare 3:05 start for this game today. The good news is that you can sit back and enjoy the noon slate of games without having to be drug down by the Titans.

Source: https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/t...0/titans-vs-cardinals-sunday-morning-thoughts