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Tennessee Titans Jeffery Simmons could play Week 7: Report

By Michael Moraitis

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in action against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in action against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The NFL debut of Tennessee Titans 2019 first-round pick Jeffery Simmons could be near.

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle and 2019 first-round pick Jeffery Simmons could make his NFL debut as soon as the Week 7 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

According to Paul Kuharsky, the plan is for the Titans to activate Simmons next week, have him practice, and then get him into the Week 7 game at Nissan Stadium versus the Chargers.

"The Titans’ plan to activate first-round draft pick Jeffrey Simmons for practice next week and hope he makes his NFL debut on Oct. 20 at Nissan Stadium against the Chargers."

Kuharsky notes that Simmons would have a limited role in his first game, which is understandable as the Titans attempt to slowly work him in after his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in February.

"So if all goes well in his first practice week, the Titans would like to use Simmons in a limited role against Los Angeles."

Before his injury, Simmons was thought to be a top-10 talent. The Titans took a chance on him despite his injury with the No. 19 overall pick, and depending on what he turns out to be after his potential early return, general manager Jon Robinson might have gotten a steal.

There were some doubts that Simmons would even see the field at all this season, with an original best-case scenario being a December return. However, the Titans look to be on the verge of getting Simmons back ahead of schedule.

Prior to the start of the season, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t rule out putting Simmons on the 53-man roster because he was so ahead of schedule, but in the end the Titans put Simmons on the Non-Football Injury list to start the season.

While the Titans’ run defense has been solid overall through the first five games, the team could use a boost there, and in the pass-rush department along the defensive line. Thus far, Tennessee’s defensive linemen have notched 3.5 sacks in total.

Simmons should offer a boost against both the pass and run, as he possesses the tools necessary to be a solid pass-rusher and run-stuffer. Whatever the case may be, the Titans’ defense has been stellar in 2019, and Simmons will only make it better.

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