Biggest takeaways from the Titans’ roster
The Tennessee Titans’ initial 53-man roster is set, but the personnel maneuvering will continue ahead of next week’s season opener against the New York Giants. The waiver wire, street free agents and injuries could continue to shape the Titans in the coming days.
But what have we learned from Tennessee’s first 53-man roster of the 2022 NFL season?
Here are the biggest takeaways, by position:
Quarterback
Kept (2): Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis
Cut (1): Logan Woodside
Woodside, Tannehill’s backup the last two seasons, became expendable after throwing three interceptions in the first two preseason games. He’s a practice squad option if he clears waivers.
It’s possible the Titans aren’t sold on Willis as their sole backup — despite the strides he made throughout the summer – and will pursue another veteran to add to the quarterback room.
Running back
Kept (5): Derrick Henry, Dontrell Hilliard, Hassan Haskins, Tory Carter (FB), Julius Chestnut
Cut (1): Trenton Cannon
Chestnut making the initial 53 is a surprise, though he was the Titans’ best preseason running back, posting 26 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown. He received praise from coach Mike Vrabel over the summer.
If he can stick around for the long haul, he’ll provide depth in the backfield. Most importantly? He should have a role on special teams. Cannon — signed to a one-year deal in the offseason — was expected to contribute there, but never flashed in training camp or the preseason.
Wide receiver
Kept (5): Robert Woods, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-ikhine, Kyle Philips, Racey Mcmath
Cut (4): Reggie Roberson Jr., Mason
Kinsey, Cody Hollister, Dez Fitzpatrick
Look for the Titans to add reinforcements with just five receivers. Fitzpatrick — a 2021 fourth-round pick — couldn’t lock down a sixth spot after an underwhelming finish to the preseason, when he dropped a would-be gamewinning touchdown Saturday against the Cardinals. Fitzpatrick has now been cut from Tennessee’s initial 53-man roster in consecutive years.
Tight end
Kept (3): Austin Hooper, Geoff Swaim, Chig Okonkwo
Cut (3): Tommy Hudson (injured), Davis Wells, Thomas Odukoya
The Titans love their tight ends— they have multiple responsibilities in the offense— so it wouldn’t be shocking for them to find a fourth for their active roster. Wells or Odukoya should be available for the practice squad.
Offensive line
Kept (9): Taylor Lewan, Aaron Brewer, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Nicholas Petit Frere, Dillon Radunz, Corey Levin, Dennis Daley, Jamarco Jones
Cut (6): Jordan Roos, Xavier Newman-johnson, Willie Wright, Hayden Howerton, Christian Dilauro, Jalen Mckenzie, Andrew Rupcich
Even with the addition of Dennis Daley via trade, the Titans may not be done adding to the offensive line, which has lingering depth concerns.
Defensive line
Kept (7): Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Demarcus Walker, Naquan Jones, Da’shawn Hand, Kevin Strong
Cut (4): Jayden Peevy, Kevin Strong, Larrell Murchison, Sam Okuayinonu
Keeping seven defensive linemen feels steep, but it’s possible Autry’s health played into that decision. He missed most of training camp.
Outside linebacker
Kept (4): Harold Landry III, Bud Dupree, Ola Adeniyi, Rashad Weaver
Cut (1): David Anenih
Anenih, an undrafted rookie from Houston, is the most surprising name left off the initial 53. He starred for the Titans in the preseason, posting three sacks, three quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two passes defended and a tackle for loss in three games. Him being left off speaks to the strength of this room.
Autry, who doubles as a defensive lineman, is also an option here.
Anenih should be on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Inside linebacker
Kept (4): David Long Jr., Zach Cunningham, Chance Campbell, Dylan Cole
Cut (2): Joe Jones, Jack Gibbens PUP (1): Monty Rice
Tennessee’s depth behind Long and Cunningham is a concern, but reinforcements could be prioritized on the practice squad, which should include Jones and Gibbens — two of the team’s best performers in the preseason — if they clear waivers.
Secondary
Kept (11): Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, Roger Mccreary, Elijah Molden, Ugo Amadi, Joshua Kalu, A.J. Moore, Lonnie Johnson, Tre Avery
Cut (6): Theo Jackson, Greg Mabin, Tre Swilling, Chris Jackson, Adrian Colbert, Tyree Gillespie
Avery flashed some in the preseason, but he’s a surprise to make the initial 53man roster, similar to Chestnut.
Amadi gives the Titans an experienced nickel with Molden’s health status unclear, Kalu was a big-time playmaker in the preseason who has background with Tennessee (2018-20), Moore received $2.5 million guaranteed in his free-agent deal and Johnson — a 2019 second-round pick — could fill the role Dane Cruikshank departed in dime packages.
Theo Jackson, the only rookie draft pick to get cut, missed time in training camp with an undisclosed injury and the team’s pursuit of defensive backs in recent weeks didn’t bode in his favor of him making the team.
Specialists
Kept (3): Randy Bullock (PK), Morgan Cox (LS), Ryan Stonehouse (P)
Cut (1): Brett Kern (PK)
PUP (1): Caleb Shudak (PK)
Bullock had a strong training camp and preseason (5 of 5 on field goals and 4 of 4 on extra points in exhibition play), but it became clear the Titans wanted to give Shudak a chance to compete by moving him to Reserve/pup during training camp (where he’ll have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season) instead of waiving him as injured.
Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.