Who Needs To Step up for the Ailing Tennessee Titans, Including Jack Crawford

The Tennessee Titans earned the infamous honor as the first NFL franchise with a COVID-19 outbreak. In total, 11 players are on the COVID-19 Reserve list, with 10 players testing positive since last Tuesday. The COVID-19 Reserve list players, including the date they tested positive, are as follows:

• OL Isaiah Wilson – Sept. 6^th (Not related to current outbreak)
• DB Greg Mabin – Sept. 24^th
• DL DaQuan Jones – Sept. 29^th
• LS Beau Brinkley – Sept. 29^th
• TE Tommy Hudson – Sept. 29^th
• OLB Kamalei Correa – Sept. 30^th
• CB Kristian Fulton – Oct. 1^st
• WR Adam Humphries – Oct. 2^nd
• WR Cameron Batson – Oct. 2^nd
• DE Jeffery Simmons – Oct. 3^rd
• FB Khari Blasingame – Oct. 4^th

The date each player tested positive is important because it dictates when that player may return to team activities. According to NFL rules, there are two scenarios depending on whether the COVID-positive player is symptomatic or asymptomatic.

If a COVID-positive player is asymptomatic, he may return if:

• 10 days have passed since his initial positive test, OR
• Five days have passed since his initial positive test AND the player has two consecutive negative test results at least 24 hours apart

If a COVID-positive player is symptomatic, he may return if:

• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, AND
• At least 72 hours have passed since he last experienced symptoms

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Who Steps up for the Ailing Tennessee Titans, Featuring Jack Crawford

Because of the outbreak last week, the Titans were forced to postpone their week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and take an early bye week. Meaning, that barring additional positive test results, this week’s game against the Buffalo Bills will take place as scheduled. It’s likely that multiple Titans on the COVID-19 Reserve list will have to miss the game. Which begs the question, who steps up?

DE Jack Crawford

Jack Crawford signed with the Titans this off-season. He spent his first eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons. Crawford’s best season came as a member of the Falcons in 2018. He posted 35 tackles, seven for loss, and six sacks. He also added an interception and forced fumble that year. A career backup, Crawford has shown the ability to step in and play well when needed.

His versatility is an added bonus as Jack Crawford has spent time at defensive end and defensive tackle. That will be important come Sunday if both Simmons and Jones can’t go. In limited action so far this year, Crawford has two tackles and one sack.

WRs Kalif Raymond and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

With both Humphries and Batson testing positive for COVID-19, and A.J. Brown’s status for Sunday unknown, Raymond and Westbrook-Ikhine will see more snaps. Raymond showed a knack for big plays late last season. He made a spectacular 45-yard diving touchdown catch in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. But Raymond struggled in the season opener, and wasn’t targeted in Week 2. He bounced back in Week 3, though, with his first 100-yard receiving game of his career. The Titans will hope Raymond can build on that performance.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, a rookie undrafted free agent, has only two targets this season, and no receptions. He appeared timid in his second game on the active roster in Minnesota. One of his targets was a pass that Ryan Tannehill delivered to his hands, but Westbrook-Ikhine dropped it. He’s a big target, at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Westbrook-Ikhine left Indiana University after filling the stat sheet, and record books. The Titans saw his potential and he’ll have an opportunity to prove it as early as this Sunday.

DB Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson was the Titans final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He impressed in training camp, drawing praise from safety Kevin Byard who said of Jackson, per John Glennon of Broadway Sports, “Honestly, he’s been one of the most impressive guys, not just from a young guy’s standpoint, just one of the most impressive guys this training camp… Coming in as a seventh-round pick, he’s worked his tail off every single day. He’s a smart guy as well.”

Jackson has been thrown into the lineup early with the absence of star CB Adoree Jackson, and opposing quarterbacks are taking advantage. While in coverage, Jackson has been targeted 11 times, allowing eight receptions for 100 yards. Quarterbacks enjoy a 100.6 rating when throwing his direction. With fellow rookie defensive back Kristian Fulton testing positive, the Titans will hope the seventh-rounder can lean on his strong training camp and adjust on the fly.

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The Titans will preach a “next man up” mentality this week. Lead by head coach Mike Vrabel, don’t expect the Titans to make excuses. Vrabel said the players will be ready, noting their message to him was “Coach, we’ll be ready to play whenever they want us to play.”

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