Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans’ offense faced a seismic shift when star wide receiver Calvin Ridley was sidelined with a hamstring injury in Week 8. Ridley wasn’t just a top target—he was the team’s only consistent deep threat, a player who forced opposing defenses to commit single coverage or risk giving up big plays downfield. In his absence, the Titans’ passing attack has stagnated, their red-zone efficiency has dropped, and quarterback Will Levis has struggled to find reliable options outside of tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans explores the critical tactical shifts, player role changes, and schematic tweaks the Titans must implement to revitalize their offense and stay competitive in the AFC South.

Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans begins with replacing Ridley’s deep threat—a void that has left the Titans’ passing game one-dimensional. Before the injury, Ridley accounted for 45% of the Titans’ receptions on passes thrown 20+ yards downfield, and his presence kept safeties from crowding the box to stop Derrick Henry. To fill this gap, the Titans must lean into a “by-committee” approach with their remaining wide receivers, starting with Treylon Burks. Burks, a former first-round pick with 4.46-second speed, has the physical tools to stretch defenses but has struggled with consistency. The coaching staff should design more “go routes” and “post routes” for Burks, paired with play-action fakes to draw safeties forward. Additionally, the Titans can use Okonkwo as a vertical threat; the tight end has shown he can beat linebackers deep, as evidenced by his 45-yard touchdown catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. “We can’t replace Ridley with one player, but we can spread the vertical responsibility,” said Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly in a recent press conference. “Treylon and Chigoziem both have the speed to keep defenses honest—we just need to give them more opportunities.”

Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans delves into maximizing the production of slot receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who has emerged as a reliable intermediate target but lacks Ridley’s downfield speed. Westbrook-Ikhine excels at running crossing routes, slants, and curls—plays that can exploit the void left by defenses shifting coverage to stop deep threats. The Titans should increase his snap count in the slot, using him in “pick-and-roll” route combinations with Okonkwo to create mismatches against nickelbacks. For example, a play where Okonkwo runs a short out route to draw a linebacker’s attention, while Westbrook-Ikhine cuts across the middle for an open catch, could generate consistent 8-12 yard gains. The Titans should also use Westbrook-Ikhine as a “checkdown” option for Levis on deep plays; if Burks doesn’t get open downfield, Levis can quickly look to Westbrook-Ikhine over the middle. “Nick is our most reliable hands catcher,” Levis said. “When I’m under pressure, I know he’ll be in the right spot. We just need to design more plays that get him the ball in space.”

Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans examines the need to refine Levis’ decision-making and timing with his new receiving targets. Before Ridley’s injury, Levis had developed a rhythm with the veteran receiver—often looking to him on third downs and in the red zone. Without that connection, Levis has hesitated to throw deep, leading to more sacks and missed opportunities. The Titans should increase the number of “walkthroughs” and “skeleton drills” in practice, focusing on timing between Levis and Burks, Westbrook-Ikhine, and Okonkwo. These drills, which simulate game-like routes without full contact, help quarterbacks and receivers build muscle memory for route timing and catch locations. Additionally, the coaching staff should review film with Levis to identify which receivers excel in specific situations—for example, Burks in man coverage, Westbrook-Ikhine in zone coverage, and Okonkwo against linebackers. “Timing is everything in the passing game,” Kelly said. “Will and our receivers need to be on the same page before the snap, not just during it.” For the Tennessee Titans, this focus on chemistry could turn inconsistent production into reliable gains, easing the pressure on Levis and the offense.

Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans explores adapting the run game to compensate for the weakened passing attack. With defenses no longer fearing the deep pass, they’ve shifted to “eight-man boxes” to stop Henry, who has seen his yards per carry drop from 5.2 to 3.8 since Ridley’s injury. To counter this, the Titans should incorporate more “trap plays” and “pulling guards” to create holes for Henry—schemes that use misdirection to pull defenders away from the play’s intended path. They should also use Henry as a pass-catcher out of the backfield more frequently; Henry has 28 receptions this season, but only 7 have come since Ridley’s injury. Catching passes out of the backfield forces linebackers to cover him, which opens up running lanes for subsequent plays. Additionally, the Titans can rotate backup running back Tyjae Spears into the game for “change-of-pace” plays; Spears’ speed and agility complement Henry’s power, and he can exploit the tired legs of defenders who focus on stopping Henry. “The run game is still our identity,” Titans running backs coach Anthony Lynn said. “We just need to be smarter about how we use Derrick and Tyjae to keep defenses guessing.” For the Tennessee Titans, a more dynamic run game can take pressure off the passing attack and keep the offense on the field longer.

Offensive Adjustments Needed Without Ridley for the Tennessee Titans wraps up with short-term roster tweaks and long-term planning to sustain offensive success. In the short term, the Titans should consider elevating practice squad wide receiver Kyle Philips to the active roster; Philips is a shifty slot receiver who excels at yards after catch, a skill that could complement Westbrook-Ikhine. They could also sign a free-agent wide receiver with deep-threat experience, like former Atlanta Falcon Olamide Zaccheaus, who has proven he can stretch defenses. Long-term, the Titans need to address their wide receiver depth in the 2026 draft—targeting a prospect with Ridley’s combination of speed and route-running to avoid future gaps. “Injuries are part of the NFL, but we can’t let one player’s absence derail our season,” said Titans head coach Brian Callahan. “We need to adjust, adapt, and find ways to win with the players we have.” For the Tennessee Titans, these offensive adjustments aren’t just about surviving without Ridley—they’re about building a more resilient, balanced offense that can compete with the AFC’s top teams, whether Ridley is on the field or not. By focusing on schematic tweaks, chemistry building, and run-game innovation, the Titans can turn a setback into an opportunity to grow stronger as a unit.