Tennessee Titans defensive questions that must be answered after Week 3

As if the concerns about the Tennessee Titans defense weren’t loud enough already, they’ve really become a talking point so far in 2021. No, a nice performance versus the Indianapolis Colts doesn’t change that.

Tennessee, after putting some embarrassing tape out there throughout the 2020 season decided they’d do all that they could to upgrade their defense during the most recent offseason. Much of the plan involved strengthening themselves at the second level and in the trenches.

They signed Bud Dupree, Denico Autry, and Ola Adeniyi in March. Guys like Woodrow Hamilton were added in April prior to the 2021 NFL Draft. Monty Rice and Rashad Weaver were added during the selection meeting.

Titans GM Jon Robinson and company have done everything in their power to field the best team possible. Then, the bottom fell out in Week 1 and Week 2. They looked much better versus the Colts, but what should we take from that. Has this unit made drastic improvements and done so quickly?

While you mull that over, here’s something else to think about. This team still has a ways to go before they are healthy.

The Tennessee Titans are missing some key and valuable pieces on defense.

Despite a huge win in Week 3, the Titans have some question marks on the defensive side of the ball. Here are three of the most obvious.

Where on Earth was Bud Dupree?

There were questions about whether or not Bud Dupree would be active, and he was. The problem is he didn’t play a single snap during Week 3’s game. That doesn’t necessarily mean that he couldn’t however. He was serving in an emergency role. Still, whatever he’s continuing to deal with is preventing everyone from believing that he needs to be on the field.

One would have to imagine that he would have never been signed to a massive deal in the offseason had there not been confidence that he’d be able to contribute this season. Still, with the way things are trending, one has to ask if he returned much too quickly from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 12 last season.

What is Rashad Weaver’s status?

Rookie fourth-round pick Rashad Weaver was only on the field for 17 snaps, 11 on defense and six on special teams. Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky reported that he had broken his fibula which, obviously isn’t something that you just bounce back from a week later.

There’s no timetable for his return at the time of this story being written and published. Hopefully, we’ll all know more in the coming days.

Might the Tennessee Titans juggle the roster?

Simply put, the answer to that is yes. In addition to Weaver leaving this one early and Dupree sitting out, Derick Roberson was absent as well.

Jayon Brown only played eight snaps. From the outside looking in, that would mean that Ola Adeniyi and Harold Landry are the only healthy players at the outside linebacker position. Don’t be surprised if the Tennessee Titans juggle some bodies and add someone to the active roster early this week.