Titans vs. Ravens: Jayon Brown ‘probably won’t play’ in divisional round
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown is unlikely to play on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said that inside linebacker Jayon Brown is unlikely to play on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Brown suffered a shoulder injury against the New England Patriots last week that ended his game after just 10 snaps. Despite saying he felt good on multiple occasions during the week, Brown was unable to get any practices in, and was once again absent on Thursday.
According to Vrabel, Brown is unlikely to play this week.
LB Jayon Brown probably won’t play for @Titans vs @Ravens, per Vrabel.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2020
On the other hand, Brown himself sounded a bit more optimistic and hasn’t ruled himself out yet. He’s hoping one more day will be enough to get ready.
Jayon Brown said he felt like he made progress this week. He wouldn't rate his chances of coming back but said there's one more day to figure it out and says he has confidence in himself. #Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 9, 2020
If this is indeed the case and Brown sits out, it’s a huge blow for the Titans. Not only is Brown one of their best defenders overall, he’s an elite coverage linebacker that cannot be replaced by anyone on Tennessee’s roster.
Brown not suiting up is especially problematic against a Ravens team that loves to utilize its tight ends in the passing game. There really isn’t a worse matchup this could have happened for.
The only hope now is that Brown still carries a designation aside from OUT and becomes a game time decision for the Titans. We’ll know more on that front when the injury report is released a bit later.
In his absence last week, the Titans deployed a combination of David Long and Wesley Woodyard, both of whom split snaps evenly. Considering the unusual threat Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson presents, it remains to be seen if that will stay the same this week.
The Titans and Ravens will meet on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. CST at M&T Bank Stadium.