NASHVILLE — Injuries are adding up for the Tennessee Titans — and adding to the insult of what’s already been a dismal season for Music City’s NFL franchise.
The toll is most noticeable on defense, which doesn’t bode well for a team hosting the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is the NFL’s leading passer entering the ninth week of the season, having thrown for 2,140 yards while completing 201 of 296 attempts with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Two defensive starters for Tennessee from the season opener are on injured reserve — rookie outside linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo and veteran cornerback L’Jarius Sneed — four others were on Wednesday’s injury report, and two cornerbacks who either started or played heavily in that road loss to the Denver Broncos in early September have been traded.
The Titans (1-7) are facing a true test of that next man-up mentality, and interim coach Mike McCoy said Wednesday that communication is the key with so many new faces.
“Any time you have changes and you have guys in different positions or guys playing with certain players for the first time, communication is critical,” McCoy said. “That’s the most important thing, is just make sure everybody’s communicating — overcommunicate.”
The injuries are hitting the defensive line and secondary hardest.
Three-time Pro Bowl tackle Jeffery Simmons remains week to week with a hamstring injury that has cost him most of the past two games. Outside linebacker Arden Key has missed three straight games with a quadriceps muscle injury and also didn’t practice Wednesday.
Defensive end James Lynch has a shoulder injured limiting him, and outside linebacker Ali Gaye was placed on IR with an injured knee Tuesday.
The secondary is drastically different now, and banged up to boot. Starting cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. is working his way through the concussion protocol. Starting safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) was among six Tennessee players in all who did not practice Wednesday.
Monday’s trade of cornerback Roger McCreary — shipped to the Los Angeles Rams, he followed fellow cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who was dealt to the New York Jets in September — has left that meeting room filled with players still getting to know each other.
McCoy said teams can control some things during a season, and some they can’t. Weekly changes are part of the NFL due to injuries, and coaches have to play different players and personnel packages to adjust.
“There’s no excuses in this business,” McCoy said. “You’re going to go out there and play and execute at a high level on Sunday, and there’s a certain standard you play with, and you expect those players to go out there and do their job.”
Woods and veteran safety Amani Hooker are the only two starters from the opener still left in the secondary. The Titans claimed Jalyn Armour-Davis after the NFL roster cuts in August, and he has started the past six games. Rookie cornerback Marcus Harris was a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.
Three more defenders were added for depth Tuesday: outside linebacker Truman Jones from the practice squad of the New England Patriots, cornerback Micah Robinson from the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers and cornerback Kemon Hall to Tennessee’s practice squad.
Robinson, whose first day with the Titans was Wednesday, echoed McCoy’s message that communication is key.
“I’ve been learning names,” he said. “I’m trying to memorize them, especially the names in the DB room.”
As for the offense, veteran receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) also did not practice and may miss a third straight game.