Titans' Calvin Ridley taking advantage of DeAndre Hopkins trade in best possible way

The Tennessee Titans ensured that Calvin Ridley would be their No. 1 wide receiver for the foreseeable future last week by trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. The problem? Ridley had struggled mightily for the Titans this season, despite signing a four-year contract worth $92 million in the offseason.

Both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph have failed to get Ridley consistently involved all season long. The former Second-team All-Pro entered Sunday's Week 8 contest versus the Detroit Lions having totaled 12 catches on 36 targets for 183 yards through Tennessee's first six games. In his first official game without Hopkins in the lineup, Ridley finally broke out as a Titan.

Calvin Ridley breaks out versus Lions

Rudolph started his second consecutive game for the Titans after Levis was ruled inactive due to an ongoing shoulder injury. Though it was a rollercoaster of a performance, one that came with two terrible interceptions, Rudolph achieved something Levis hasn't all season long. He successfully peppered Ridley with targets.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan has discussed getting Ridley involved earlier in the game in nearly every post-game press conference. The Titans actually did it this time. By the time the first quarter concluded, Ridley had totaled six catches on six targets for a season-high 118 receiving yards, enjoying his first 100-yard performance as a Titan with three quarters to spare.

Callahan, offensive coordinator Nick Holz, and the Titans' quarterbacks hadn't done a decent enough job getting Ridley involved early. In Weeks 1 through 7, Ridley had seen five combined first-quarter targets. His six targets in the opening quarter versus the Lions surpassed nearly two months worth of previous first quarter opportunities.

Ridley's big-time afternoon began on Tennessee's third possession. Rudolph gave him a one-versus-one opportunity, a rarity this season, and Ridley leaped over Lions defensive back Brian Branch to make an excellent contested grab. The drive ended with a Rudolph rushing score. On the next drive, he recorded Tennessee's longest passing play of the campaign, a 47-yard gain.

Ridley is Tennessee's only proven receiver signed through next season. Though the team will have to appropriately address Hopkins' departure by acquiring a new "X" receiver, either through free agency or the draft, it'll likely be Ridley's that's Tennessee's go-to wideout. That process may have begun on Sunday.

Sunday's game got away from the Titans in the second quarter, with frequent turnovers and special teams gaffes helping the Lions build a 35-14 halftime lead, leading to an embarrassing final score of 52-14. Ridley finished with 10 catches for 143 yards on 15 targets, and he also lost a fumble. There weren't many positive takeaways from Sunday's blowout loss as the Titans dropped to 1-6. Ridley's performance was one of them.