The Tennessee Titans’ most reliable source of points in a tough season is now listed on the injury report, which led them to bring back a player for backup.
Kicker Nick Folk played through some soreness, making two field goals, including a 46-yard kick, in the Titans’ loss to the Jaguars last week. Both Folk and Brayden Narveson were present at practice on Wednesday, although the Titans listed Folk as one of six players who didn’t participate.
Coach Brian Callahan said Folk was dealing with “general soreness.” Despite Folk’s strong performance this season, he turned 40 last month. Because of this, the Titans (3-10) signed Narveson to the practice squad on Tuesday after he spent training camp with the team, in case they need him for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati (5-8).
“You’re always mindful of it with kickers and that kind of leg soreness,” Callahan said. “So he finished the game but was sore. … He doesn’t do anything on Wednesdays anyway. He’ll try to kick (Thursday), and we’ll see where he’s at. So I don’t really know how to feel about it either way. I just know he’ll kick tomorrow, and then we’ll have a better feel for his status after that.”
Folk holds an NFL record with 85 consecutive field goals made on attempts from less than 40 yards, including a 39-yarder that gave the Titans a 6-0 lead last week. He ranks 14th in NFL history with 403 field goals, just four behind Arizona kicker Matt Prater, who is on injured reserve.
Brian Callahan in the 1st half
The kicker signed a new deal this offseason after New England traded him to Tennessee in 2023, and Folk went on to set a franchise record, making 96.7% of his field goals (29 of 30). This season, Folk has been almost perfect, hitting all 22 of his extra point attempts and 21 of 22 field goals, including matching his career-long with a 56-yarder earlier this year.
Narveson had a strong preseason for Tennessee, allowing Folk to focus on preparing for the regular season. The rookie from N.C. State made 6 of 7 field-goal attempts, including a 59-yarder, and hit a 46-yard kick as time expired in a 16-15 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
His only miss was a 58-yarder in the Titans’ preseason finale, which was almost returned for a touchdown. He made his first attempt, but it was ruled invalid due to a timeout.
Green Bay claimed Narveson when Tennessee waived him during final roster cuts. The Packers released him in October after he missed five field goals, the most in the league.
“If for some reason he can’t go Sunday, Brayden will be ready to roll in and he’ll kick and do all that,” Callahan said about Narveson. “So obviously it’s nice to have some familiarity with him, and he’s here in case we need him.”