Tennessee Titans cornerback Elijah Molden had an impressive rookie season in 2021 after being selected by the Titans in the third round of the draft that year, but his career hit the skids due to injury in 2022.
Molden was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season with a groin injury, returned for two games, and then found himself back on IR because of the same issue, ending his season.
As the Washington product told Jim Wyatt of Titans Online, not being able to get on the field with his teammates was “really tough” for him.
“It’s been really tough,” Molden admitted. “It’s hard to explain. I feel like my family and a couple of other people really know what was going in and the deal behind everything. I just want to put it behind me, really. I am feeling a lot better now and I am definitely on the up-and-coming, and the Titans have been really helpful in the transition from rehab to action and now back on the field practicing.”
“I’m just really happy to be out here and have some fun again,” he added. “Starting to feel healthy and all those things … I’m starting to come back and feel like myself again.”
Molden is feeling more comfortable overall going into Year 3, but not too comfortable. The way he avoids that, he says, is learning a new position, which head coach Mike Vrabel previously revealed was safety.
While the 24-year-old was billed mostly as a slot corner coming out and played there during his rookie campaign, he was also thought to have the ability to play safety if need be, something the Titans are rightly exploring.
“There is (a comfort level), but at the same time I am trying to elevate my game,” he said. “I don’t ever really want to come in and be lackadaisical or too comfortable. So, what that means to me is learning a new position and testing the limits every day.”
“In this league, it’s like the more versatile you are, the more you’re able to help out and be able to play anywhere,” Molden added.
While Tennessee’s defense figures to be strong if healthy, the team is lacking depth at a few spots, with safety being among them.
Adding to that, one of their starters at the position, Amani Hooker, has dealt with injuries the last few seasons, which makes having depth at that particular spot even more important.
If Molden can successfully add the position to his repertoire, not only will he help his team in that regard, he’ll also help himself see the field more if the Titans’ plan is to deploy Roger McCreary in the slot primarily.
Not to mention, if Tennessee decides to part ways with Hooker or Kevin Byard next offseason for whatever reason, the team will have an in-house solution in Molden.
