One of the more intriguing developments thus far for the Tennessee Titans has been the arrival of last year’s fourth-round selection, Rashad Weaver.
The Pittsburgh product has been producing at a high level to start the year, leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss with four each.
The Titans defender is currently averaging one sack per game and he is on pace for a total of 17 sacks this year.
The likelihood of continuing a pace like this throughout the year is pretty unlikely, something Weaver recently acknowledged, according to Sports Illustrated’s John Glennon.
“Everybody knows you get those times where you go two or three games in a row and you don’t get any sacks. So you’ve got to get as many as you can [when given the chance]. Then at the end [of the year], you’ll be pretty happy with the tally.”
Weaver also emphasizes that despite his fast start to the season, he’d like to increase his production even more.
“I’d like to try to really double up – I want two every week, to stay ahead of the curve,” Weaver said. “Because they come in bunches and they die out, too.”
Despite his modesty, the second-year pass-rusher is off to a historic start for the franchise. Weaver’s four sacks are tied for the second-most by a Titans player over the first four games of a season since 2013.
Also, the Indiana native is currently tied with the Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parson and the Buffalo Bills’ Greg Rousseau for most sacks by a first- or second-year defender.
Fast start for #Titans OLB @RashadWeaver. pic.twitter.com/4HWFZGchQ8
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 6, 2022
This is an impressive start for any player, let alone for someone who had the majority of their rookie year robbed from them due to a broken leg.
Update: @RashadWeaver is currently T-3rd in the NFL with four sacks in as many games.
Weaver has also lowered his average distance from the opposing QB with each passing week, Per @NextGenStats 🔥#Titans https://t.co/2NIh1h4XB4 pic.twitter.com/2bpFeYWdSn
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) October 3, 2022
Now that he’s finally healthy, Weaver isn’t taking any moment for granted and he’s back to doing what he loves best as he describes below.
“Anytime I’m out there, I just want to get to that quarterback,” Weaver said. “Whether I’m getting the sack or in his face knocking down the ball, batting passes or just causing pressure, causing erratic throws or him having to throw it out, anything I can do to be around him is my main goal. Once you finally get him down, it’s the best feeling.”
This Sunday he faces a Commanders team that has allowed a league-high 17 sacks through the first quarter of the season. Washington also has some injury issues along the offensive line that surely won’t help their cause.
Starting Tackle Sam Cosmi has been ruled out with a finger injury, and their other starting tackle Charles Leno Jr. has been battling a shoulder injury of his own.
Weaver has a great opportunity to get the multi-sack game he’s looking for in order to continue building some positive momentum going into the bye.
