Tennessee Titans should elevate 3 players off of short-term injured reserve
By Will Lomas
Tennessee Titans RB/KR Darrynton Evans
This one is a no-brainer.
Right now Derrick Henry is on pace for 5,874,249 touches this season (number may be slightly exaggerated) and the Titans are clearly hesitant to use any other running backs as actual runners unless they are given really favorable looks.
Henry is great and there has never been a game where he has looked gassed after touching the ball too many times. However, you really don’t want to find out if there is a limit to how many times he can touch the ball before you get diminishing returns.
The fact is, this offense is perfect for Evans who has an instant quickness and acceleration that Derrick Henry doesn’t have. With Henry’s newfound ability to catch the ball, there is no reason why you couldn’t interchange Henry and Evans in any down and distance.
Sure, Henry is a likely Hall of Fame running back who should theoretically get the ball in every scenario, but Evans being active and playing means that Henry can be fresh and come out on the field on 3rd and 4 instead of sending in a pure blocking back.
Who should the Titans cut?
Mekhi Sargent was fun to watch in the preseason and he is definitely worth a spot on the practice squad, but Evans clearly adds more value as a running back with the added benefit of being a kick returner.
Sargent can be the next Jeremy McNichols, which is a very solid career path.