In a move to address multiple injuries on both sides of the ball, the Tennessee Titans placed starting center Lloyd Cushenberry and veteran safety Quandre Diggs on injured reserve on Wednesday, leaving holes in both the offensive line and the secondary. To fill the gap in the defensive backfield, the Titans signed safety Mike Edwards, a veteran with experience in both the Buccaneers and Chiefs organizations, who should help provide stability as the Titans try to recover from a rough start to the season.
Cushenberry and Diggs Lost for the Foreseeable Future
Both Cushenberry and Diggs were injured during the Titans’ dramatic overtime win over the New England Patriots in Week 9, a game that saw Tennessee improve to 2-6 on the season. Cushenberry, who had been a crucial offseason signing for the Titans’ offensive line, suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound center, who had started all 57 games of his NFL career, was expected to be a cornerstone in a revamped offensive line that featured rookie tackles in JC Latham and Peter Skoronski.
Diggs, a nine-year NFL veteran, sustained a Lisfranc injury to his left foot early in the game. He had to be carted off the field, and reports suggest he will need surgery, sidelining him for an extended period. Diggs had been signed by the Titans in August and was brought in as a stabilizing force for a secondary that had been dealing with injuries all season. His absence is a significant blow for the Titans, who will now rely on backups like Mike Brown to step up in his place.
Mike Edwards Signs to Strengthen the Secondary
In response to the loss of Diggs, the Titans wasted little time bringing in reinforcements. Mike Edwards, a six-year veteran, was signed to bolster the secondary. Edwards, who was most recently with the Buffalo Bills after stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Over his career, Edwards has started 28 of 78 games, racking up eight interceptions, 236 tackles, one forced fumble, and five fumble recoveries. His ability to play both deep and in the box will give the Titans some much-needed versatility on the back end of their defense.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan expressed confidence in Edwards’ ability to contribute immediately, stating, “Obviously with Quandre’s injury, having another player back there was important for us, and a good solid player came available and we found a way to make that happen.”
Depth Issues Mounting for the Titans
With the addition of Edwards, the Titans now have 10 players on injured reserve, including starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who was placed on IR earlier in the season due to a groin injury. Callahan acknowledged the challenge the team faces as it continues to work through a rash of injuries on both sides of the ball. But he also remains hopeful, noting that while Cushenberry and Diggs’ losses are tough, the Titans’ depth will need to step up over the final nine games of the season.
On the offensive line, the Titans are hopeful that right guard Dillon Radunz, who missed last week’s game with a foot injury, will be ready to return to action for their upcoming Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3). If Radunz is cleared to play, Daniel Brunskill is expected to take over at center in Cushenberry’s place.
Looking Ahead: The Titans Need to Stay Resilient
Despite their mounting injuries, the Titans are still focused on turning their season around. With the AFC South wide open and just a few games separating them from a potential playoff push, Tennessee will need its role players to step up and play at a high level. Edwards’ arrival adds a veteran presence to the secondary, which will help anchor a defense that has already been solid in recent weeks.
With important games coming up against the Chargers and the rest of the AFC, the Titans’ ability to weather these injuries will be key to their playoff hopes. Coach Callahan’s confidence in the team’s depth, along with the leadership of veterans like Edwards, will be critical as Tennessee looks to avoid further setbacks on the injury front and keep pace in the competitive AFC.
The road ahead for the Titans may be tough, but with key players like Edwards stepping up, they’ll look to turn their season around and keep playoff hopes alive despite their growing injury list.
