Tennessee Titans: 3 reasons the bye week came at a perfect time

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans shakes hands with head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs after the game at Nissan Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeats Kansas City 35-32. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans shakes hands with head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs after the game at Nissan Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeats Kansas City 35-32. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown was elite in pass coverage last season.
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 30: Jayon Brown #55 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates sacking Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Time to heal the wounded

Going into Week 10, the Titans were missing a slew of important players, particularly on defense.

Tennessee was without key pass-catchers in wide receiver Corey Davis and tight end Delanie Walker, as well as defensive stars like defensive lineman Jurrell Casey and inside linebacker Jayon Brown.

The most important of those four injured players are undoubtedly Casey and Brown. The Titans’ defensive line never really looks the same without Casey, and Brown’s ability as a coverage linebacker simply cannot be replaced.

Together, their absence is a huge blow to Tennessee’s defense.

With an extra week to get those four players right, Tennessee could be looking at a situation in which they are fully healthy in Week 12, with the exception of cornerback Malcolm Butler, who was placed on injured reserve last week.

As head coach Mike Vrabel noted during the week, he’s hopeful Walker, Davis, Casey and Brown will be back in business before the Week 12 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

If the Titans are going to finish the season strong, they need all hands on deck, and this bye week will give the team an opportunity for extra time to get all of these players healthy.