Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor (24) talks with the media post practice during day 1 of mini-camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor has missed the past two games for the club. While he was deemed inactive in the 26-20 Week 6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Taylor was listed as active in the 27-24 Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
As it turns out, head coach Robert Saleh wants to move the soon-to-be 28-year-old to the nickel position, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. However, reports indicate that making that change is a difficult process due to Saleh's defensive scheme.
“Titans CB Alontae Taylor was active Sunday vs. the Browns after being a healthy inactive last week—but did not play a snap. The plan to use him at outside CB has not worked thus far, and moving him back to nickel is not so simple in Tennessee's defensive scheme.”
As of now, second-year pro Marcus Harris has received the bulk of the work in the nickel. So, Saleh would likely have to bench Harris to give Taylor playing time. The five-year veteran has seemingly been unimpressive playing on the outside in his first five games, generating 25 combined tackles (19 solo) and one sack. Taylor has yet to record a single interception or pass deflection in Tennessee.
However, Alontae Taylor has naturally played nickel throughout his career with the New Orleans Saints. The Titans signed the former second-round pick to a three-year, $60 million contract in the offseason to boost the secondary. So far, things haven't worked out, and it's starting to get a bit confusing in Tennessee.
Due to the lack of playing time, rumors have sparked that Taylor could be on the trade block. With the club 1-6 through seven games, the chances of the Titans becoming sellers are rather high by the November 10 trade deadline. Until then, Taylor will be a player to monitor moving forward. Tennessee is scheduled to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 8.