Ridley's Loss Forces Creativity in the Tennessee Titans Scheme

In the NFL, adversity often becomes the catalyst for innovation—and for the Tennessee Titans, the season-ending injury to Calvin Ridley has been exactly that. For months, the Titans’ offensive scheme revolved around Ridley’s speed, route-running, and ability to draw double teams, with playcallers leaning on his presence to open up opportunities for Derrick Henry and other pass-catchers. When Ridley went down, the team couldn’t simply plug in a replacement; their old scheme no longer fit their roster. Instead, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and head coach Mike Vrabel were forced to rethink every aspect of their playbook—turning frustration into a chance to experiment, adapt, and uncover new strengths. What emerged wasn’t a watered-down version of their old offense, but a more creative, flexible system that leverages the unique skills of the players who remain. Ridley's Loss Forces Creativity in the Tennessee Titans Scheme explores the specific tactical shifts, bold experiments, and unexpected successes that have defined the Titans’ offense since Ridley’s injury.

Ridley's Loss Forces Creativity in the Tennessee Titans Scheme begins with the expanded role of “hybrid tight end sets”— a creative workaround that turns a position once used primarily for blocking into a focal point of the passing game. Before Ridley’s injury, tight ends Chigoziem Okonkwo and Josh Whyle combined for just 35% of the Titans’ receiving targets; now, that number has jumped to 58%. Kelly has designed new plays that exploit their size and athleticism: “tight end screens” that send Okonkwo sprinting down the sideline with blockers in front, “seam routes” that let Whyle use his 6-foot-6 frame to outjump linebackers, and even “wildcat” packages where Okonkwo lines up as a pseudo-quarterback to run or pass. “We couldn’t replace Calvin’s speed, but we could find other ways to create mismatches,” Kelly explained in a post-practice interview. “Okonkwo can run like a receiver but block like a lineman—why not build plays around that? Whyle can catch over the middle like a wideout but is tough enough to run between the tackles. Those are tools we weren’t using enough before.” The results have been promising: in the first three games without Ridley, Okonkwo notched his first 100-yard receiving game, and Whyle scored his first NFL touchdown—proof that the hybrid sets are more than just a temporary fix.

A second creative shift is the use of “multiple receiver motions” to confuse defenses— a tactic that compensates for the Titans’ lack of a true No. 1 receiver by forcing constant adjustments. Before Ridley’s injury, the Titans rarely used more than one receiver in motion per play; now, they often send two or three, shifting players from the slot to the outside, the backfield to the line, and vice versa. The goal is to make defenses guess: Is that receiver motioning to block, or to catch? Will the play be a run, or a pass? In a recent game against the Indianapolis Colts, this tactic paid off: the Titans sent three receivers in motion before the snap, drawing two Colts safeties out of position. Henry then ran through the gap they left open for a 25-yard touchdown. “Motion used to be a way to tweak defenses; now it’s a way to attack them,” said Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. “When you don’t have a receiver who can beat a corner one-on-one every time, you have to use movement to create space. Defenses can’t cover everyone when we’re shifting all over the field—it forces them to make mistakes.” This creativity has also helped backup receivers like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Treylon Burks: motion often puts them against slower linebackers or tired cornerbacks, giving them a better chance to make plays.

Ridley's Loss Forces Creativity in the Tennessee Titans Scheme also includes the revival of “play-action trick plays”— high-risk, high-reward calls that have injected energy into the Tennessee Titans’ offense. Kelly has dusted off old plays and invented new ones that use Henry’s reputation as a run-first back to deceive defenses. One standout play: a “fake handoff” to Henry, where Tannehill pretends to give him the ball, then hands it off to Westbrook-Ikhine on a reverse—who then throws a 30-yard pass to Whyle. The play worked for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it’s become a staple in the Titans’ red-zone package. “Trick plays used to be something we pulled out once a game; now they’re part of our regular rotation,” Kelly said. “When defenses are keying on Henry every play, they’re less likely to see these fakes coming. It’s not about being flashy—it’s about using what defenses expect against them.” For the Tennessee Titans, these trick plays have done more than score points: they’ve boosted morale. Players talk about the excitement of practicing and executing these calls, and fans have rallied around the team’s “never quit” attitude. In a season filled with setbacks, the trick plays have become a symbol of the Titans’ willingness to think outside the box.

Another creative adaptation is the “short-pass, long-gain” strategy— turning quick throws into big plays by emphasizing yards after the catch (YAC) for the Tennessee Titans. Without Ridley’s ability to stretch the field, the Titans have focused on getting the ball to playmakers in space and letting them create. Tannehill now targets receivers and tight ends on slants, drag routes, and bubble screens—plays that get the ball out of his hands quickly, then rely on the receiver’s speed and elusiveness to pick up extra yards. Westbrook-Ikhine, for example, has turned 12 short catches into 180 yards this season, averaging 15 yards per reception—up from 8.2 yards before Ridley’s injury. “We’re not trying to hit 50-yard passes anymore; we’re trying to hit 5-yard passes that turn into 50-yard gains,” Tannehill said. “It’s a different way to attack, but it’s effective. When you get the ball to guys in open space, defenses have to chase them—and that creates gaps for Henry or other receivers later in the drive.” For the Tennessee Titans, this strategy has made their offense more consistent: they’ve reduced their three-and-out rate by 22% since Ridley’s injury, keeping drives alive and wearing down defenses. It’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t always mean complex plays—sometimes it means reimagining how to use simple ones.

Finally, Ridley's Loss Forces Creativity in the Tennessee Titans Scheme wraps up with the long-term impact of these creative shifts— how they’re reshaping the Titans’ offensive identity for the Tennessee Titans. What started as a necessity has become an opportunity: the Titans are no longer a “one-trick” offense relying on Ridley and Henry; they’re a more versatile unit that can adapt to different roster strengths. Kelly has said he plans to keep many of these creative sets even if Ridley returns next season, arguing that “a more flexible offense is a more dangerous one.” For the Tennessee Titans, this means the future could include a balanced attack that uses tight ends, receivers, and running backs in equal measure—something that would make them harder to defend and more resilient to injuries. “Ridley’s loss was a blow, but it forced us to grow,” Vrabel said in a recent interview. “We learned we have more talent than we thought, and we learned we can be creative when we need to be. That’s a lesson that will serve us well for years.” Ridley's Loss Forces Creativity in the Tennessee Titans Scheme ultimately shows that in the NFL, the best teams don’t just survive adversity—they use it to become better. The Titans’ creative scheme adjustments aren’t just a way to get through this season; they’re a foundation for a more dynamic, sustainable offense in the future.