After beating the Seattle Seahawks 19-16 in Week 2 of the NFL preseason, the Tennessee Titans are getting closer to making some difficult roster decisions. General manager Mike Borgonzi must submit his initial 53-man roster later this week on Sunday, August 30th. One player whose fate hangs in the balance is fan-favorite wide receiver Xavier Restrepo.
There were some telltale signs during the Seahawks game that indicate which way the Titans are leaning with Restrepo. Initially, the former undrafted free agent was playing with the likes of Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. With quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the game, Restrepo was running with the second-string offense.
Unfortunately for Restrepo, he also played during the second half of the Seahawks victory, earning reps with third-string quarterback Will Levis. Outside of rookies, most players who compete during the third and/or fourth quarters of preseason games are on shaky ground. Restrepo is on extremely thin ice heading into roster cutdown weekend.
Tennessee Titans prove WR Xavier Restrepo remains on the roster bubble in preseason Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks
Restrepo played 22 total snaps versus the Seahawks. That was second-most among all Titans wideouts. Only practice squad mainstay Mason Kinsey played more (24 snaps).
Meanwhile, Carnell Tate, Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor and Wan'Dale Robinson all played fewer than 20 snaps. The Titans were purposely giving Restrepo a little extra run. Restrepo also had a touchdown catch wiped out by a Jackson Slater holding penalty on the play.
One of the biggest roadblocks to Restrepo's ability to secure a 53-man roster spot has been his lackluster abilities on special teams. The former Miami standout committed a holding penalty on the Titans' opening kickoff. That certainly won't help him convince Borgonzi that he's made strides in an area that's previously held him back.
The in-house favorite to claim the Titans' sixth and presumed final roster spot at receiver is Bryce Oliver. An elite special teams player, he played six snaps on special teams, matching Restrepo's third-phase snap count. The difference is Oliver didn't make a costly mistake.
The Titans are arguably deeper than they've ever been at receiver. Tate, Ayomanor, Ridley, Robinson, and Chimere Dike are five roster locks. Restrepo is trying to compete for a backend spot, but indications on Sunday are that he's currently losing that battle.
Oliver and even undrafted rookie Hank Beatty have made it a three-way position battle with Restrepo for WR6. Oliver clearly possesses the upper hand. With Restrepo playing in the second half of a preseason game, he could be heading for disappointment on cutdown day.
Add us as a preferred source on Google