Pass rusher Arden Key is reportedly out for six games for the Tennessee Titans. Paul Kuharsky claims that Key is suspended for breaking the league’s anti-drug policy. It is a severe blow to the Titans defense, which is already lacking in depth at outside linebacker.
Due to Key’s early-season absence, players positioned beneath him on the depth chart move up. Rashad Weaver should be regarded as Harold Landry’s backup for the time being. Now, there are more opportunities for veteran signing Shane Ray, seventh-round rookie Jaylen Harrell, and sophomore UDFAs Thomas Rush and Caleb Murphy to earn rotational roles.
Ran Carthon, the general manager, may use free agency. The depth at the position right now is really shallow. Three seasoned pass-rushers that could be useful to the Titans have been identified.
Carl Lawson
For Carl Lawson, the past few seasons have been peculiar. In 2022, he sustained a terrible Achilles injury that ended his season. In 2022, Lawson made a comeback and finished the season with 7.0 sacks and 49 pressures in 17 games. Lawson was only able to play in six games during the regular season last year due to an injury and being lost in the thick of the New York Jets’ pass rush.
Lawson is well-known to head coach Brian Callahan, which can be advantageous. They played together for the Cincinnati Bengals for two seasons (2019–20). Tyler Boyd and Chido Awuzie, two former Bengals, were already added by the Titans this summer.
Bowser Tyus
Tyus Bowser’s availability and health would be the sole determinants of Tennessee’s interest in him. The former second-round pick was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to begin the 2023 season due to a setback that occurred during the summer. Bowser sustained an Achilles injury in 2021, which affected him in 2022 as well.
Between 2019 and 2021, Bowser was a breakout player for the Baltimore Ravens. In all, he gained fourteen sacks over that period. Last season, Dennard Wilson, the new defensive coordinator for the Titans, coached the Ravens’ defensive backs.
Ngakoue Yannick
Teams from throughout the league have begun to contact Yannick Ngakoue. He recently made trips to the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins. With Sam Williams sidelined by an injury that ended his season, the Dallas Cowboys might be intrigued.
Ngakoue’s output with the Chicago Bears in the previous season was mediocre at best. Compared to his sack totals from 2021 (10) and 2022 (9.5), he only produced 4.0. Ngakoue is also considered to be unreliable against the run.
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