Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries

In the NFL, a team’s success isn’t just defined by its star players—it’s defined by the backups who step up when those stars are sidelined by injury. For the Tennessee Titans, backups are more than just “second-string”; they’re part of a “next man up” culture that Mike Vrabel has built, where every player is expected to be ready to contribute at a moment’s notice. When key starters like Kristian Fulton or Monty Rice go down, backups must quickly learn new roles, adjust to game speed, and fill gaps that could otherwise derail the team’s season. These players don’t always get the spotlight, but their performances often determine whether the Titans win close games or fall short of playoff contention. Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries takes a closer look at how backups across different positions stepped up in 2024, the challenges they faced, and why their contributions are vital to the team’s long-term success.

Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries begins with cornerback backups—a group that faced immediate pressure when starter Kristian Fulton suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 10. With Fulton out, the Titans turned to Roger McCreary, a second-year player who had mostly played nickel corner, and Caleb Farley, a former first-round pick returning from his own injury. McCreary, who had only started three games before 2024, was tasked with covering the opponent’s top wide receiver—a role he embraced with physicality and discipline. In a Week 12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, McCreary held Calvin Ridley to just 45 yards on 4 catches, including a 关键 pass breakup in the end zone to stop a potential touchdown. Farley, meanwhile, played nickel corner, using his speed to defend short routes and support the run. “We didn’t have time to panic,” McCreary said after the game. “The coaches prepared us every week like we were starters, so when the call came, we were ready.” For the Titans, the cornerback backups didn’t just fill a role—they stabilized a secondary that could have collapsed without Fulton. Their performance helped the Titans win three of their next four games, keeping their playoff hopes alive into December.

Next in Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries is the offensive line backups, who faced a test when backup tackle Andre Dillard missed the first six weeks of the season with a hamstring strain. With Dillard out, the Titans relied on Dillon Radunz, a third-year player who had bounced between guard and tackle, to serve as the primary backup for both left and right tackle. Radunz’s role was unique: he had to learn both tackle positions, study the tendencies of opposing defensive ends, and be ready to enter games at any moment—even if he hadn’t taken a snap at that position in practice that week. In a Week 5 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Radunz entered the game in the third quarter after right tackle Walker Little suffered a minor ankle sprain. He played 23 snaps, allowing zero sacks and helping the Titans rush for 120 yards in the second half. “The hardest part is staying focused even when you’re not starting,” Radunz said. “You have to pay attention to every play, every call, because you never know when you’ll be needed.” For the Titans, offensive line backups like Radunz are critical because injuries to linemen can derail the entire offense—without a reliable backup, the team risks losing time of possession or exposing the quarterback to sacks. Radunz’s performance showed that the Titans’ offensive line depth is more than just a safety net; it’s a competitive advantage.

A key group in Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries is the running back backups, who stepped up when Julius Chestnut missed the final three games of 2024 with a high-ankle sprain. With Chestnut out, the Titans turned to Jonathan Ward, an undrafted free agent who had spent most of the season on the practice squad, to serve as Hassan Haskins’ primary backup. Ward’s role was to spell Haskins on early downs, catch passes out of the backfield, and contribute on special teams—all while learning the Titans’ run-heavy scheme on the fly. In a Week 15 win over the Houston Texans, Ward rushed for 45 yards on 8 carries, including a 12-yard run on third-and-2 that kept a scoring drive alive. He also caught 2 passes for 18 yards, showing versatility that the Titans hadn’t seen from their backup running backs earlier in the season. For the Tennessee Titans, Ward’s performance was a reminder of why teams invest in practice squad players: they’re often the unsung heroes who keep the offense moving when starters are injured. “Jonathan never complained about being on the practice squad,” running backs coach Tony Dews said. “He showed up every day, worked hard, and when he got his chance, he delivered. That’s the kind of player we want in this locker room.” Ward’s contributions helped the Titans win two of their final three games, pushing them to the brink of a playoff spot.

Another vital group in Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries is the linebacker backups, who filled a leadership void when Monty Rice missed four weeks with a shoulder separation. With Rice out—who was not just a starter but also the linebackers’ signal-caller—the Titans turned to Drew Sanders, a rookie third-round pick, to start at middle linebacker. Sanders’ role was twofold: he had to make tackles and stop the run, but he also had to call defensive plays, communicate with the secondary, and adjust to the opponent’s scheme in real time. It was a tall task for a rookie, but Sanders rose to the occasion. In a Week 9 win over the New Orleans Saints, Sanders recorded 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and a pass breakup, and he correctly called out a Saints trick play that would have resulted in a touchdown. “Monty helped me a lot before he got hurt,” Sanders said. “He walked me through the playbook every night, showed me how to read offenses, and told me to trust my instincts. That gave me the confidence to lead.” For the Tennessee Titans, Sanders’ performance was a win-win: it kept the defense competitive during Rice’s absence, and it gave the team a young linebacker who could develop into a future starter. Vrabel praised Sanders after the game: “Drew didn’t just fill Monty’s spot—he made it his own. He’s a smart player, a tough player, and he’s exactly what we want in a Titan.”

Wrapping up Backup Roles During Tennessee Titans Injuries is the wide receiver backups, who stepped up when Treylon Burks missed one game with a knee contusion in Week 17. With Burks out—the Titans’ top receiver and deep threat—the team turned to Colton Dowell, a seventh-round rookie, and Racey McMath, a third-year player, to fill the void. Dowell’s role was to run deep routes and stretch the defense, while McMath focused on short routes and blocking downfield—two skills that complemented Robert Woods’ possession-receiver style. In a Week 17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Dowell caught 3 passes for 62 yards, including a 35-yard deep ball that set up the Titans’ first touchdown. McMath, meanwhile, blocked for Haskins on three rushing plays that gained 10+ yards, showing that wide receiver backups aren’t just pass-catchers—they’re key contributors to the run game. For the Tennessee Titans, Dowell and McMath’s performances were a reminder of the depth at wide receiver, a position that had been a question mark entering the season. “We talk about ‘all hands on deck’ every week,” wide receivers coach Rob Moore said. “Colton and Racey didn’t get a lot of snaps before Week 17, but they were ready when we needed them. That’s the mark of a good team.” Their contributions helped the Titans win the game, keeping their playoff hopes alive until the final week of the season. For all Titans backups, these moments aren’t just about individual success—they’re about proving that the team is stronger than any single player. When backups step up, the Titans don’t just survive injuries—they thrive in spite of them.