Tennessee Titans health could be a difference-maker in Week 2
By Will Lomas
While Week 1 was disappointing for the Tennessee Titans, there are still 16 games left on the schedule. If this team is going to rebound, they have to learn from their mistakes and make corrections, but that is hard to do if your lineup changes every week.
Luckily for the Titans, it looks like every starter from last week will be good to go against the New York Jets on Sunday.
The biggest health concern from the loss to the Chicago Bears was the rib injury to Dillon Radunz, which momentarily forced him to visit the locker room. The Titans dodged a bullet there, seeing that Radunz was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and he seems on track to start at right guard.
DeAndre Hopkins was limited in Week 1 because of an MCL injury, but he hasn't been listed on the injury report this week. While Hopkins might not be in on every offensive rep, he seems closer to full-go, and no one is more thankful for that than Will Levis. Levis could lean on familiarity with his dominant "X" receiver after the five-time Pro Bowler was Tennessee's lone wideout to surpass 1,000 receiving yards last season.
Finally, veteran safety Jamal Adams has been listed as a full participant in practice all week and it seems like he will be making his Titans debut on Sunday.
Defensively, the Titans don't need much help, but it's always better to face Aaron Rodgers with a full arsenal. We didn't see many big nickel or three safety looks last week, and it is safe to assume that Titans DC Dennard Wilson will throw some new looks at the Jets offense. Adams is an outstanding blitzer with experience playing in Wilson's system. For that reason alone, Adams could be an important piece to have back.
Tennessee's coaching staff is focused on correcting their mistakes from Week 1. They can't do that if the players aren't on the practice field, so it is crucial that everyone is healthy and getting on the same page.
If the offense looks better this week, then the mistakes from Week 1 will be chalked up to inexperience, nerves, and a tough environment. If not, then the critics will be out in droves and it is going to be an uphill battle to get anyone to believe in this team for the next four months.