titans suffered Key Injuries To Rotations Players In Preseason Week 1
titans suffered Key Injuries To Rotations Players In Preseason Week 1
Titans Suffered Key Injuries To Rotation Players In Preseason Week 1
The NFL preseason kicked off in a meaningful way over the weekend, and the Tennessee Titans did their part by winning a dreary affair over the highly compensated 49ers. Unfortunately, the Titans suffered key injuries to important rotation players in that triumph. How will these injuries affect the team in the future? How can the team replace these key players who suffered injuries in a meaningless game?
Note: All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference
According to Paul Kuharsky and other reporters, the Titans suffered key injuries in that victory as the electric substation claims its latest victims. Robert Saleh led his new charges to a win over his old friends in Santa Clara. Rookie tight end Jaren Kanak tore his ACL, and EDGE Jaylen Harrell tore his pectoral muscle in the Thursday night victory. Both injuries are season-ending and could alter the Titans’ plans at those positions.
Harrell ACL
Kanak torn pec
Both out for year#Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 15, 2026
EDGE Jaylen Harrell
Harrell’s injury is the more perilous of the pair, as Tennessee’s depth at EDGE will be tested even if he were healthy. Saleh and DC Gus Bradley may have to shift things around to cover for the glaring hole presenting itself after the Titans suffered key injuries at the position. Harrell came on late last season, finishing with 4.5 sacks in his second season. He was in line to log key snaps once again, if not outright play starter’s minutes, before the injury. He’ll have a long road back to reach a similar level in his third season.
How can they replace him?
Internal options
There are some internal options, like shifting big-ticket signing John Franklin-Myers to EDGE instead of defensive tackle. Currently, Jacob Martin is slated to be the starter alongside Jermaine Johnson II. Rookie Keldric Faulk will have to step up in Harrell’s absence. 2026 free-agent signee Malik Herring is a solid bet to lock in a roster spot after his play in week one and Harrell’s injury. Second-year pass rusher Femi Oladejo will have to show how much he learned under the guidance of franchise legend Jevon Kearse in a hurry.
In addition to the EDGE group currently on the roster, the Titans could decide to make a linebacker their designated pass rusher to pitch in, like James Williams, Sr. The Titans suffered a key injury at a critical spot, so Coach Saleh must get creative in finding solutions.
External options
Big-name brands like Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and former friend Denico Autry are on the free-agent market if they choose that route. Former 49ers pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos has experience in Saleh’s system, so there’s a fit. Tennessee likely rolls with what they have until camp cuts, unless more injuries happen. The Titans suffered key injuries, but not an overtly critical one at this juncture.
Tight End Jaren Kanak
Kanak was a seventh-round selection in the 2026 draft and was slated to fight for a roster spot with incumbent David Martin-Robinson. Unfortunately, his rookie season became a nightmare, but it could be a blessing in disguise, as he can learn the playbook, rehab, and come back better in 2027. He only recently converted to tight end after spending multiple seasons on defense while at Oklahoma. While the Titans suffered a key injury at his position, they can absorb the loss better than they can absorb Harrell’s injury.
Not much on the external free-agent market makes sense for the Titans right now, so they will increase reps for the internal options. This move likely ensures that the battle between Kylen Granson and DMR continues unabated for the next couple of weeks. Could the Titans make a move after roster cuts? It’s entirely possible. Likely? Probably not unless something catastrophic happened. Will Tennessee survive these losses, as the Titans suffered key injuries to rotation players in the end?
Tennessee Titans tight end Jaren Kanak (81) catches a ball during OTAs at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, June 11, 2026.