Tennessee Titans cornerback Chido Awuzie suffered a groin injury in Sunday's 30-14 Week 3 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Brian Callahan confirmed the news while speaking with reporters during Monday's press conference. Awuzie is going to be sidelined for several weeks.
Chido Awuzie will miss time with a groin injury, Callahan said@Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 23, 2024
It represents yet another setback for Awuzie. The starting-caliber cornerback has been injured twice since signing a three-year contract worth a sizable $36 million with the Titans in free agency. Awuzie suffered a calf injury in training camp that sidelined him for nearly the entire duration of camp, forcing him to miss all three preseason games.
That injury initially limited Awuzie in the Week 1 defeat to the Chicago Bears. Awuzie played just 41 snaps in that contest, accounting for 73% of Tennessee's defensive plays, according to Football Guys. Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. rotated into the lineup as a result, playing 32% of defensive snaps.
Awuzie seemed to be in improved football shape in the Week 2 loss to the New York Jets. He totaled 50 snaps, accounting for 88% of Dennard Wilson's defensive plays. Unfortunately, Awuzie then suffered the groin injury fairly early on Sunday, playing just 16 snaps (25%) before exiting with the groin injury that may now land him a four-week stint on IR.
Brownlee will be the biggest benefactor of Awuzie's injury. The Louisville rookie played a career-high 31 defensive snaps on Sunday, the majority of which occurred after Awuzie was injured. Pro Football Focus credited Brownlee with allowing one reception via one target for 18 yards. It was unfortunately a chain-mover on 3rd-and-long. The expectation is that he'll play boundary corner snaps opposite L'Jarius Sneed with Roger McCreary maintaining his usual position in the slot.
Awuzie had been performing fairly admirably for the Titans this season despite playing through an injury before already suffering a second one. Pro Football Focus' charting has Awuzie allowing just three receptions on six targets, meaning he's allowing a completion percentage of just 50% when targeted.
Those receptions gained the opposition 29 yards for an average of 9.7 yards per catch. Awuzie hasn't forfeited a single explosive pass (20-plus yards) yet, with a 19-yard reception being his longest allowed. Awuzie also hasn't been whistled for a single penalty.
Darrell Baker Jr. will be the fourth cornerback while Awuzie is sidelined. Baker joined the Titans in late August after he was claimed off waivers. He played 16 snaps following Awuzie's injury.