Chidobe Awuzie #13 of the Tennessee Titans
It’s been a long stretch for the Tennessee Titans without veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, but the team received some promising news on Monday. Awuzie, who has been sidelined since September due to a groin injury, is set to return to practice this week, according to head coach Brian Callahan. This marks a significant step in the veteran corner’s recovery and opens the door for a potential return to the field as soon as Week 13.
Awuzie, who suffered the groin injury during Week 3, was placed on injured reserve shortly after, ensuring he would miss at least four games. However, the 29-year-old has been unavailable far beyond his initial eligibility to resume practicing, and his extended absence raised questions about when he’d be able to contribute again. The news that he’s cleared to return to practice is a welcome sight for the Titans’ secondary, which has already dealt with several injury setbacks this season.
Once Awuzie officially hits the practice field, he will enter a 21-day window for activation. The Titans will need to move him to the active roster within that span, or he’ll revert to season-ending IR. If he can successfully return to game action, Awuzie will give Tennessee another starting-caliber option in their secondary — an area of focus entering the season.
When the Titans signed Awuzie this offseason, it was seen as a major move to bolster their defense. The former second-round pick followed defensive coordinator Brian Callahan from Cincinnati to Tennessee, inking a three-year, $36 million deal with high expectations. Awuzie’s addition to the secondary was supposed to bring stability and experience, and through his first few games as a Titan, he had indeed been a fixture in the starting lineup.
Unfortunately for the Titans, their secondary has been hit hard by injuries this season, with the trade acquisition of L’Jarius Sneed (who’s now also on IR) and Awuzie expected to play major roles. Still, the Titans’ defensive success has been impressive in 2024. Despite missing both Sneed and Awuzie for extended periods, Tennessee’s defense leads the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, giving up just 170 yards per contest. While Sneed is expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future, Awuzie’s impending return could provide a much-needed spark.
The timing of Awuzie’s return will likely be bittersweet for the Titans, who sit at 3-8 and are all but eliminated from playoff contention. A postseason run now seems out of reach, but if Awuzie can return to full health and show he’s back to his pre-injury form, it will bode well for the Titans as they start looking ahead to the 2025 campaign. For both Awuzie and the team, staying healthy and sharp through the remainder of this season is crucial for the long-term success of the franchise.
In the end, while his return won’t have an immediate impact on Tennessee’s chances in 2024, having a player of Awuzie’s caliber back on the field will help the Titans finish the season strong and enter the offseason with renewed hope for the future.
