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Mike Moraitis

Updated Titans 53-man roster projection after preseason Week 1

With preseason Week 1 in the books, it’s time to take a look at an updated 53-man roster projection for the Tennessee Titans, which is at least partly based on what we saw in the loss to the Chicago Bears.

While some players were able to make the most of their opportunity in the exhibition debut, others did not, either because of average or worse play, or simply because they did not suit up due to injury.

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Thankfully for the latter group, there are still two more preseason games to right the ship, with the next one coming on Saturday following a week of joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings..

As usual, right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is not listed here because of his six-game suspension, and you also won’t find guys like offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, cornerback Caleb Farley and safety Josh Thompson, as all three remain on injured lists.

Now, the latest 53-man projection following preseason Week 1 that has six new additions from the last one.

QB Ryan Tannehill

Syndication: The Tennessean

QB Malik Willis

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

QB Will Levis

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

RB Derrick Henry

Denny Simmons/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports

RB Tyjae Spears

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

RB Hassan Haskins

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

RB Julius Chestnut*

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Replaced: RB Jonathan Ward

Had Ward not exited early due to injury in preseason Week 1 and played well, I actually might’ve replaced Haskins with Chestnut. Unfortunately for Ward, that did not happen.

Chestnut was easily the second-best back in the preseason opener, finishing with seven carries for 46 yards, including an impressive 26-yard gain.

At the very least, he closed the gap between himself and Haskins with that showing. If Ward misses an extended period of time, Chestnut should have no issue making the roster, assuming the Titans carry a fourth back.

WR DeAndre Hopkins

Syndication: The Tennessean

WR Treylon Burks

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

WR Kyle Philips

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

WR Chris Moore

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Syndication: The Tennessean

TE Chigoziem Okonkwo

Syndication: The Tennessean

TE Trevon Wesco

Al Bello/Getty Images

TE Josh Whyle

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

TE Alize Mack

Syndication: The Tennessean

LT Andre Dillard

Syndication: The Tennessean

LG Peter Skoronski

Syndication: The Tennessean

C Aaron Brewer

George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports

RG Daniel Brunskill

Syndication: The Tennessean

RT Chris Hubbard

Denny Simmons/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports

OL Corey Levin

Syndication: The Tennessean

OL Justin Murray*

Syndication: The Tennessean

Replaced: OT John Ojukwu

Ojukwu went from a frontrunner for right tackle at the start camp to out of my latest projection. The rookie has missed three practices in a row and was unable to suit up in preseason Week 1.

Meanwhile, Murray was impressive, tallying the best pass-protection grade (85.9) and third-best run-blocking grade (69.0), per Pro Football Focus, while only allowing a single pressure in 33 snaps.

OL Jordan Roos

Syndication: The Tennessean

OL Jaelyn Duncan

Syndication: The Tennessean

DL Jeffery Simmons

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

DL Denico Autry

Syndication: The Tennessean

DL Teair Tart

AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

DL Jayden Peevy

Syndication: The Tennessean

DL Jaleel Johnson*

Syndication: The Tennessean

Replaced: DL Naquan Jones

Jones is another player who has missed a significant amount of practice time. Johnson was OK in preseason Week 1 and finished tied for the second-most tackles with four. He gives Tennessee a much-needed veteran presence among the depth guys upfront.

LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Syndication: The Tennessean

LB Jack Gibbens

Syndication: The Tennessean

LB Monty Rice

Syndication: The Tennessean

LB Ben Niemann*

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Replaced: WR6

I’ve had the Titans carrying six wide receivers and four linebackers for quite some time now, but that all changes here.

Niemann was excellent in his preseason debut with the Titans, finishing tied for second on the team with four tackles to go along with one fumble recovery, and he notched the highest PFF grade on the team (90.3).

At this point, I think Niemann, who was among the surest tacklers in the NFL in 2022, is more valuable as a depth piece and special teams contributor than any sixth wide receiver will be — and that’s especially true after none of the WR6 candidates did much to stand out on Saturday.

LB Luke Gifford

Syndication: The Tennessean

OLB Harold Landry

Denny Simmons/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports

OLB Arden Key

Syndication: The Tennessean

OLB Rashad Weaver

Syndication: The Tennessean

OLB Sam Okuayinonu

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

After listing Sam O. as a defensive lineman all offseason long, the Titans had him at outside linebacker on the first unofficial depth chart. He can play both standing up and with his hand in the dirt.

OLB Caleb Murphy

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

CB Kristian Fulton

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Syndication: The Tennessean

CB Roger McCreary

AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

CB Tre Avery

Syndication: The Tennessean

CB Eric Garror*

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Replaced: CB Chris Jackson

As has been the case for much of his career, Jackson was too hurt to play on Saturday. Garror shined with a pair of open-field tackles and two tackles for loss, and he had the eighth-best PFF grade on defense.

S Kevin Byard

Syndication: The Tennessean

S Amani Hooker

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

S Elijah Molden

Syndication: The Tennessean

Molden was listed as a safety on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, hence why we have him here. He figures to play at corner, also.

S Mike Brown*

Syndication: The Tennessean

Replaced: S Tyreque Jones

Jones’ placement on my last projection was shaky to begin with, but Brown did more than enough in preseason Week 1 to take his spot.

The veteran safety registered the second-highest PFF grade on defense (78.4) while also notching two tackles and forcing a fumble on a punt that set the Titans up for three points.

S A.J. Moore

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

P Ryan Stonehouse

Syndication: The Tennessean

K Caleb Shudak

Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

LS Morgan Cox

Syndication: The Tennessean
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