Season-ending injuries to wide receiver Marc Mariani, center Eugene Amano and linebacker Gerald McRath have opened up several spots on the Tennessee Titans' roster for players who otherwise may have been released.
Several reserves have one more chance to impress the coaching staff before Friday's deadline for the 53-man roster. Here's our projected 53-man roster before Thursday's preseason finale vs. the Saints.
Stock Rising: RB Darius Reynaud, CB Coty Sensabaugh, TE Taylor Thompson, S Aaron Francisco. Reynaud is a virtual lock to make the roster after Thursday's horrific injury to Mariani. With Mariani out for the season, Reynaud has assumed return duties for the Titans. Entering last week's preseason game vs. the Cardinals, Reynaud had averaged more than 44 yards per punt return. Sensabaugh moves up by virtue of a concussion suffered by Mouton last week. Francisco has excelled on special teams and can also play in the box when needed. The Titans' coaching staff is enamored of Thompson's size and potential. It would be shocking if he is released.
Stock Falling: CB Ryan Mouton, DT Leger Douzable, LB Zac Diles, CB Terrence Wheatley. Mouton arguably has more experience playing nickel than anyone in the secondary, including starter Alterraun Verner. The fourth-year corner's chances of making the roster, however, took a hit when he was ruled out for Thursday's game vs. the Saints. Douzable (shoulder), Diles (hamstring) and Wheatley (hamstring) have also been sidelined by injuries. All three are likely on the bubble of making the roster.
QB -- In: (3) Jake Locker, Matt Hasselbeck, Rusty Smith. Out: None. While the Titans have the option of keeping just two quarterbacks, Smith has put forth his most impressive stretch of his professional career over the last several weeks. The third-year quarterback has displayed arm strength on deep routes and accuracy on intermediate routes across the middle. Coach Mike Munchak indicated on Tuesday that it would be hard to part ways with Smith.
RB -- In: (4) Chris Johnson, Javon Ringer, Darius Reynaud, Jamie Harper. Out: Quinn Johnson, Collin Mooney (FB). Reynaud, a former wide receiver, could be used out of the backfield if the Titans decide to keep four wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Harper could be secure, as the only power back of the four. Ringer has spent the past several seasons as the Titans' third-down back, but struggled to find the creases in the defense last season. In the preseason, the fourth-year back has only received six carries.
WR -- In: (4) Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Damian Williams, Lavelle Hawkins. Out: Michael Preston, D.J. Woods, James Kirkendoll and Devin Aguilar. Reserve/Suspended: Kenny Britt. Even with Mariani on IR, the Titans may not keep five receivers. Munchak indicated this week that there's a possibility the team could decide to go with only four. Tight ends Jared Cook and Taylor Thompson both have the ability to be split out wide in the case of an injury. The Titans can also scour the waiver wire once final cuts are made throughout the league.
TE -- In: (3) Jared Cook, Craig Stevens, Taylor Thompson. Out: Cameron Graham, Brandon Barden. The Titans have used a three-tight end set frequently during the preseason and could use it often once the season starts. Cook could be primed for a breakout season, while Stevens is arguably one of the top blockers in the league. Both Graham and Barden are viable candidates for the practice squad.
OL -- In: (9) Michael Roos, Steve Hutchinson, Fernando Velasco, Leroy Harris, David Stewart, Kevin Matthews, Michael Otto, Ryan Durand, Byron Stingily. Out: Kyle DeVan, Chris Morris, George Bias, Troy Kropog, Michael Jasper. Veteran right guard Leroy Harris continues to start, but has been hampered by shoulder and knee injuries throughout the offseason. Harris' two-year, $6.2 million contract expires at the end of the season. It wouldn't be a shock if the Titans decided to part ways with the sixth-year lineman. Otto could return as soon as next week from a fractured right ring finger. The fifth-year veteran is a dependable reserve who can fill in for both Roos and Stewart if they become injured. Stingily and Kropog could be battling for one of the last spots on the roster, as could Durand, DeVan and Morris.
DL -- In: (10) Kamerion Wimbley, Derrick Morgan, Pannel Egboh, Keyunta Dawson, Jurrell Casey, Sen'Derrick Marks, Karl Klug, Mike Martin, Leger Douzable, Zach Clayton. Out: Scott Solomon, Malcolm Sheppard, Shaun Smith, Dave Ball, Lamar Divens, DaJohn Harris. Injuries to Marks, Douzable and Ball this week will provide a last opportunity for Solomon, Sheppard, Divens and Harris. Clayton is questionable with a sore back, but has impressed the staff with his improved hand movements and ability to rush up the middle. Douzable and Sheppard have the versatility to play inside and outside. The two veterans could be battling for the one of the last spots.
LB -- In: (7) Colin McCarthy, Akeem Ayers, Will Witherspoon, Zach Brown, Tim Shaw, Zac Diles, Patrick Bailey. Out: Kevin Malast. Diles missed practice on Tuesday with a hamstring injury and may need a strong showing in the preseason finale to secure a spot. Diles, Shaw and Bailey can each excel on special teams and play all three linebacker spots. Of the three, Shaw likely has the best chance of making the roster.
DB -- In: (10) Jason McCourty, Alterraun Verner, Tommie Campbell, Michael Griffin, Jordan Babineaux, Robert Johnson, Chris Hawkins, Coty Sensabaugh. Ryan Mouton, Aaron Francisco. Out: Terrence Wheatley, Tracy Wilson, Al Afalava, Christian Scott. PUP: Markelle Martin. Francisco appears around the ball consistently on special teams and could leave a void for Alan Lowry's unit if he's released. Francisco's solid special teams play could give him the advantage over Afalava. Mouton has resumed running individually after suffering a concussion last week. Mouton's inclusion on the roster could be one of Munchak's toughest decisions over the next several days.
Special Teams -- In: (3) Rob Bironas, Brett Kern, Beau Brinkley. Out: None. Brinkley hasn't been great in the preseason, but Matthews (the backup long snapper) hasn't received any reps in the Titans' first three games. Brinkley earns the spot by default.
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