Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said on Tuesday that the team is beginning to introduce regular-season game week procedures while simultaneously preparing for the final handful of training camp practices. It perfectly captures how close the Titans are to trimming their 90-man roster down to 53. The league's deadline for that process is mid-afternoon next Tuesday (Aug. 27).
Several fringe Titans roster players are facing a critical week of practice and preparation. Week 2 of the preseason indicated certain roster hopefuls are tumbling down the depth chart at the inopportune moment. We've identified three in particular.
Hassan Haskins, RB
The case of Hassan Haskins is one of the more difficult ones on the roster to figure out. Head coach Brian Callahan recently admitted that fellow running backs Julius Chestnut and Jabari Small have outperformed Haskins in camp and the preseason. But Callahan also called him a "special teams demon," and special teams coordinator Colt Anderson recently referred to him as a "linebacker."
According to Brian Callahan, RB Julius Chestnut had the better day on offense while RB Hassan Haskins won on special teams.
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 11, 2024
RB3 battle is still wide open. #Titans pic.twitter.com/FC7g0VzlNu
If Titans GM Ran Carthon retains three running backs and goes with the better-performing player, that would indicate Chestnut. Chestnut's 120 all-purpose yards leads all Titans skill players through two exhibition contests. He also out-snapped Haskins 18-0 during the first half of the Week 2 preseason victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Rashad Weaver, EDGE
The Titans are expected to go light at outside linebacker with just 4 EDGEs making the initial 53. Harold Landry III and Arden Key are locked into starting roles now that Key's six-game suspension has presumably been overturned. Fourth-year pro Rashad Weaver was once believed to be the third player at the position on the depth chart, but he's been consistently outperformed by rookie pass rusher Jaylen Harrell.
Harrell has recorded two preseason sacks including a strip-sack. Weaver isn't on the board yet, and has a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 57.7 after two preseason games. Could the Titans consider keeping a younger pass rusher with more upside like Caleb Murphy or Thomas Rush on the 53 over Weaver?
Tre Avery, CB
The Titans have three starting-caliber cornerbacks in L'Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary, and Chido Awuzie. There's competition for spots four and five on the depth chart. Third-year corner Tre Avery has been in that spot in recent seasons, but is facing more uncertainty heading into roster cuts.
Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. is the new CB4. Avery has routinely been picked on at practice by Will Levis and the other Titans quarterbacks. He also allowed Seahawks receiver Easop Winston Jr. to get behind him for a long touchdown in the preseason. Avery's roster spot is in jeopardy.