Titans LB suffers season-ending ACL injury in preseason finale

Tennessee Titans third-year linebacker Chance Campbell suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday's preseason finale win over the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Brian Callahan announced the injury during Monday's presser with local media. It's a gutting blow for one of Tennessee's preseason studs.

Campbell was especially outstanding in the Week 1 preseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The former Ole Miss standout recorded eight total tackles, one sack, and one interception. Campbell carried over that momentum to joint practices with the Seattle Seahawks, and the follow-up exhibition game against them.

Campbell left Sunday's game versus New Orleans favoring his knee during the first half. Callahan revealed during his post-game presser that he'd be undergoing an MRI to determine the severity. The results revealed the worst-case scenario.

Campbell's injury will have a big-time impact on Tuesday's looming roster cuts. Titans general manager Ran Carthon was seemingly dealing with a logjam at the position. Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens are the starters. Campbell was the projected LB3, but that's obviously no longer the case.

Otis Reese could be elevated to the top-choice rotational role behind Murray and Gibbens. Seventh-round rookie James Williams has flashed some high-level potential, and should now be assured a roster spot (if he wasn't already). Fellow rookie Cedric Gray is still nursing an injury, but indications are that it isn't serious.

If Gray begins the regular-season campaign on IR, Jojo Domann or Luke Gifford would be candidates to earn a roster spot at linebacker. Gifford is an outstanding special teams player, but appeared to be on the roster bubble given the depth ahead of him. Perhaps Campbell's injury alters his fortunes.

Campbell entered the league as the Titans' sixth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. He's dealt with various recurring injuries throughout his career. The Titans placed him on IR in early September of 2022 before his rookie season even began.

Campbell didn't initially make the 2023 roster, but he was swiftly signed to the practice squad. Campbell eventually found himself on the active roster in November, but would suffer another setback. An injury in pre-game warmups prior to Week 10 landed him on IR.

Campbell's latest setback represents an unfortunate blow to his career and the Titans defense. He flashed legitimate developmental upside throughout training camp and the preseason. Instead of featuring on Dennard Wilson's unit this year, he'll face another lengthy rehab process in preparation for a contract year in 2025.