The Tennessee Titans are still leading the NFL in a category they have no interest in being the league leader in.
According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, the Titans led the NFL in the highest amount of annual contract value on either injured reserve, physically unable to perform (PUP), and non-football injury/illness lists going into Week 5.
The Titans currently have approximately 23.5 percent of their allotted salary cap on the shelf, amounting to a total of $48.9 million on IR, PUP and NFI.
The Titans players presently on the injured lists are:
- EDGE Harold Landry (IR)
- LT Taylor Lewan (IR)
- WR Treylon Burks (IR)
- CB Elijah Molden (IR)
- OL Jamarco Jones (IR)
- DB Chris Jackson (IR)
- WR Racey McMath (IR)
- S A.J. Moore (IR)
- DL Da’Shawn Hand (IR)
- RB Trenton Cannon (IR)
- LB Chance Campbell (IR)
- K Caleb Shudak (PUP)
For the top 3 teams it represents around 20% of all contract value on their teams
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) October 9, 2022
Needless to say, this is a league-leading trend the Titans have to change if they’re ever going to see what their collective potential can truly be.
Tennessee has proven it’s capable of surviving most situations with their “next man up” mentality that the team clearly embodies, but it’s also not something they want to become a habit, either.
This is one of the rare instances when an early bye week is working in favor of the Titans. Hopefully, this time off allows the bleeding to stop now that the team finally has some adequate time to rest and recover before the stretch run of the season.
Tennessee could be getting some of these IR players back ahead of a Week 7 battle with the Indianapolis Colts. Cornerback Elijah Molden, wide receiver Racey McMath and linebacker Chance Campbell could all return.
Only time will tell how this week off impacts the long-term health of the season, but for the Titans, they’re hoping this time away is just what they need to start turning the corner.
