2 min read • August 14, 2021
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Tennessee Titans
WR Julio Jones -
The 7-time Pro Bowler was recently traded to the Titans after having a down year with the Atlanta Falcons, where he had played his entire career. Jones missed a total of 7 games, including the final four games of the season. He finished with 51 catches for 771 yards and three touchdowns, breaking a streak of six seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. The star wideout has dealt with a slew of injuries in the past, including multiple toe/foot/ankle issues. However, the Alabama product played in at least 14 games from 2014-2019. Ostensibly, Jones heads to Tennessee healthy and will be a force alongside A.J. Brown.
WR A.J. Brown -
The stud wideout missed two of the first three games due to a knee issue that was apparently more serious than originally thought. Brown reportedly had issues in both knees last season and had offseason surgery on both. He also dealt with a minor ankle injury in 2020, but did not miss time. The procedures are likely clean ups, which should have no adverse effects on his production in 2021. Brown finished his second NFL season with 70 catches for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns. It was his second straight season of at least 50 catches and over 1,000 yards.
A.J. Brown Update 08/22
A.J. Brown, the star Titans wide receiver, has missed practice time recently and now comes a report of a knee issue/injury. Brown had knee scopes that were presumably cleanups on both knees this offseason as discussed in the preseason injury preview. There is no information as to the specific knee issue currently, but it is being reported that he will be back for the regular season. This situation sounds like rest to avoid aggravation. Our assumption is that Brown will be OK to play, but is likely headed for veteran type rest this season. This will likely happen in the form of practice days off during the week, but the Titans number one wideout should continue to be very productive as one of the top WRs in the league.
OL Taylor Lewan -
The 3-time Pro Bowler tore his ACL in Week 6 and missed the rest of the year. Lewan had surgery and is off the PUP list to start camp. He has been cleared to practice, but has a ways to go to get back to his dominant form which might not happen until midway through the season.
LB Bud Dupree -
The pass rushing linebacker tore his ACL with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. Now with the Tennessee Titans, he may not be fully ready to start the year. There is no question Dupree is a supreme athlete and continues to progress well after his ACL surgery. The Titans had enough confidence in this that they signed him to a 5-year, $82.5 million deal. Dupree looked great in an offseason workout video, but medical analysis should temper the current optimism. We are not saying that Dupree is recovering poorly or that the Titans shouldn’t have signed him. In fact, we think he will make a full recovery. Our only point is that it is asking too much to expect him to be 100% for the start of this season. With the video and the timing of a December injury/surgery, there is no way he will be his dominant self by Week 1. Dupree was removed from the PUP list on Aug. 6 and Titans fans should not worry as he will round into form. The team has a history of looking long term when it comes to health and have been patient in the past. When Jeffery Simmons fell in the draft after his spring ACL tear, the Titans drafted him and waited for him to be healthy. This strategy has paid dividends late in his rookie season and beyond. Perhaps the team can play Dupree selectively on the left side to start the season and use his healthy leg to get around the edge. The 28-year-old finished last year with eight sacks and 31 combined tackles.
LB Jayon Brown -
Brown has become a key piece of this defense at inside linebacker, but fractured his elbow in the Week 11 contest against Baltimore and missed the rest of the season. Brown finished his fourth season with one sack, two forced fumbles and 76 combined tackles in 10 games. Brown should be fully healthy to start the year.
CB Kristian Fulton -
The rookie second round draft pick suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss eight weeks and required an IR stint. Fulton also missed one game after being placed on the Reserve/ COVID list. There is little information on the knee injury, but he is healthy and poised to contribute this season.
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