Titans take big steps to fix defense

Release of LB Beasley latest move in addressing unit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans made very clear they have no time to wait for their defense to improve, with the NFL’s worst unit on third down contributing to a two-game skid.

Ateam that reached theAFCchampionship game in January is too busy trying not towaste a 5-0 start.

They traded for cornerback Desmond KingonMonday, waivedveterancornerback Johnathan Joseph on Tuesday and told outside linebackerVicBeasley Jr. he wouldbe releasedWednesday. Somebad snaps also cost long snapper Beau Brinkley his job after 135 games with the franchise.

“We don’t make moves to send messages,” GM Jon Robinson said Wednesday. “We make moves to try to help us win football games.”

Beasley is the Titans’ biggest and costliest mistake this year. They signed him to a one-year deal worth $9.5 million, betting coach Mike Vrabel with his experience as an NFL pass rusher could help Beasley reclaim the form that helped him lead the league with 151⁄

2 sacks in 2016.

But the linebacker reported late for training camp and spent the preseason on the non-football injury list before passing his physical on Sept. 5. He didn’t play untilWeek 3 and finished his tenure with no sacks, three tackles and a forced fumble in five games.

Robinson said initially there had been talk of a multi-year deal with Beasley. Ultimately, he was glad they signed him to a one-year deal.

“It was time to go Robinson said.

Asked if not getting more out of Beasley was disappointing, Vrabel said his personal disappointment comes fromlosing.

“It’s an awful feeling to lose in this league,” Vrabel said. “So I want to coach better thisweek.”

Releasing Beasley leaves the Titans (5-2) thin at outside linebacker with the Bears (5-3) visiting Sunday.

The Titans also have some punters going through the COVID-19 testing protocol to try out in case three-timePro Bowler BrettKern can’t play Sunday.

Josephwas a 14-year veteranwhohad started six of seven games this season with Adoree Jackson on injured reserve. He had an interception and a forced fumble but was struggling as opponents converted 61.8% of third downs against the Titans.

Robinson said younger players.

King has been taking part in Zoom meetings with the Titans but will not be able to join them in person until Saturday at the earliest. Jackson currently is in the third and final week of practice to see if he could be activated by Sunday.

AnAll-Proin 2018, Kinghadfallen out of favor with the Chargers. Robinson said they saw an aggressive player who has been the slot cornerback, a good tackler and blitzer who’s instinctive in pass coverage, and hewas glad the trade costing a sixth-round pickworked out.

The Titans rank 30th in the NFL in giving up touchdowns inside their own 20 and 25th in yards allowed per game at 396.9. They are second with a plus-8 turnover margin, which had been the saving grace during the five-game winning streak to start the season.

Robinson said he believes execution and communication will help. it a was different time to direction,” look at