On Saturday afternoon, news broke that the embattled Tennessee Titans receiver Treylon Burks will be placed on Injured Reserve due to suffering a non-contact injury in Friday’s practice.
The #Titans are expected to place WR Treylon Burks on Injured Reserve, per sources.
Burks suffered a non-contact knee injury in practice and is slated to miss the next four weeks. pic.twitter.com/eq265nQPHP
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 19, 2024
Tennessee Titans Receiver Suffers Practice Injury; What’s Next?
The former first-round selection has struggled to gain traction this season, with only 34 yards on four receptions. Tennessee’s passing game has struggled mightily in 2024 under Will Levis’s command. As a result, the receivers haven’t delivered much in the way of highlights. Burks has garnered speculation in rumor mills throughout the season due to the “depth” of the receiver room. His trade value entering the season was at an all-time low, but with Burks injured, it is a negative asset burning the Titans’ portfolio.
What’s next for Burks?
With the IR designation, he’ll miss the next four weeks at minimum, but a noncontact injury is generally not suitable for a return. The long-running melodrama of the first-time father appears to be over in Nashville. His injury likely solidifies his exit without generating a meaningful impact for the Titans. It was apparent when the team did not guarantee him a starting role after signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. According to OverTheCap, it would cost the Titans a shade over $4.5 million in dead cap should they choose to move on after the 2024 season.
The former first-round selection from Arkansas never stood a chance of replicating the successes of A.J. Brown. He simply couldn’t succeed in those conditions and will likely go elsewhere in his career. Burks is added to the collection of questionable selections by fired GM Jon Robinson.
What’s next for Tennessee?
The Titans are decidedly not having a good time throwing the ball under Mr. Levis’s auspices. No receiver has over 200 yards and collectively has only two touchdowns. Burks did not have as much impact as the WR4 in a run-heavy scheme. Calvin Ridley is already shouting from the rooftops of St. Thomas Sports Park about his touches not meeting WR1 expectations. DeAndre Hopkins is constantly in the trade rumor market despite multiple public declarations of love for Nashville and the Titans.
The simple elevations of veteran Nick Westbrook-Ihkine and rookie Jha’Quan Jackson could fill Burks’ role while the drama at the top sorts itself out. There’s also the possibility of a practice squad receiver like Bryce Oliver and Tay Martin or even Mason Kinsey warranting a few looks. The team could also look to the free agent market with such names as former Titan Chris Moore, Denzel Mims, Jakeem Grant, and Richie James in it.
Main Image: Steve Roberts – USA Today Sports
