Titans add DL to active roster, 2 players to practice squad
By Justin Melo
The Tennessee Titans made a pair of transactions on Wednesday. They promoted defensive lineman James Lynch from the practice squad to the active roster, and signed outside linebacker Kyron Johnson to the practice squad. Earlier in the week, wide receiver Tay Martin was also added.
The @Titans have signed DL James Lynch (@JamesHusker38) to the team’s active roster.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 11, 2024
The Titans have added OLB Kyron Johnson to the team’s practice squad.
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James Lynch
Lynch appeared in Sunday's Week 1 loss against the Chicago Bears. The Titans opted to make him a standard elevation from the practice squad to the game-day roster, choosing him ahead of Isaiah Iton and Abdullah Anderson, who joined the practice squad before he did. Lynch played seven defensive snaps and recorded one quarterback pressure, according to Pro Football Focus. The Titans were obviously pleased with his performance.
Kyron Johnson
The addition of Johnson is particularly interesting. Firstly, Johnson possesses notable ties to the Titans' coaching staff. As a sixth-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2022 NFL Draft, he spent his rookie season with Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, who were with Philadelphia at the time. Wilson left Philly for Baltimore in 2023, but Rocker coached Johnson for a second season in 2023.
I had new #Titans practice squad signee Kyron Johnson on my list of edge rushers that I wanted to see them try to add. He's an undersized (6-0, 235) but ultra-athletic (4.40 40 with 39.5" vert) and has flashed in preseason action the last couple years. Interesting add. https://t.co/xOC6xjfbax
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) September 11, 2024
Johnson is undersized at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, but he's super athletic, having posted a 40-yard dash result of 4.40 and a vertical jump of 39.5 inches during the pre-draft testing process. He's also been a standout performer in recent preseasons. This past August, he accumulated six pressures and six quarterback hurries while trying to make the Pittsburgh Steelers' 53-man roster.
Johnson also played four preseason games for the Eagles in 2022 and 2023. As a rookie, he recorded three pressures and nine tackles while being coached by Wilson and Rocker. As a sophomore, with Rocker still on staff, he was limited to two pressures via one exhibition appearance.
The Titans didn't get any pass-rushing productivity from any EDGE defender not named Harold Landry in Week 1. General manager Ran Carthon could continue churning the bottom-half of his roster if that continues. If Johnson impresses, he'll pose a threat to Ali Gaye and Caleb Murphy.
Tay Martin
Martin spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers on their practice squad. He enjoyed a big-time final season at Oklahoma State, where he totaled 80 receptions for 1,046 yards, 13.1 yards per catch, and 10 touchdowns. Mason Kinsey and Bryce Oliver are other receivers on the practice squad. He's joining a crowded Titans receiver room.
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