Titans sign veteran 3rd-round pick to practice squad

The Tennessee Titans signed veteran defensive tackle McTelvin Agim to their practice squad, according to a report from NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. The Titans later announced the move via social media. The team also announced that cornerback Chido Awuzie was placed on injured reserve (IR) after suffering a groin injury, and linebacker Luke Gifford was promoted to the active 53-man roster.

Agim will take up Gifford's spot on the practice squad.

Agim initially entered the league as a third-round selection (No. 95 overall) of the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft. He failed to meet expectations, racking up just 12 total tackles and 1.5 sacks in two seasons of play. The Broncos released the former Arkansas standout before he completed his four-year rookie contract.

Agim endured a short stint with the Indianapolis Colts last season. He was credited with making two tackles in one appearance, adding one quarterback pressure to his defensive total. Agim also signed with the Houston Texans practice squad earlier this year, but was waived in August. He's now joining his third team in the AFC South.

Agim doesn't possess many ties to the Titans' coaching staff. Current tight ends coach Justin Outten spent a brief period alongside Agim on the 2022 Broncos.

Agim's addition to the practice squad isn't a huge deal, but it's a bit surprising the Titans opted to add an interior defensive lineman given their depth at the position, and struggles elsewhere (right tackle). Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat are the starters on the active roster. Simmons and Sweat have combined for just four total pressures in three games, according to Pro Football Focus. Though they are struggling, they are both entrenched in starting roles.

The Titans also have good depth behind Simmons and Sweat. Sebastian Joseph-Day and Keondre Coburn have maximized their reps in rotational roles, occasionally impacting the backfield. General manager Ran Carthon also has Abdullah Anderson and Isaiah Iton on the practice squad, two players who made valiant efforts to make the initial 53 man roster.

Gifford had been elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster a couple of times. The Titans were running out of standard elevations, hence promoting him to the full-time roster. Gifford is their best special teams player, an area they've consistently struggled in through three games.

Awuzie will miss a minimum of four games after being placed on IR. Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. should earn the majority of reps opposite L'Jarius Sneed in Awuzie's absence.