Titans lose $50 million free-agent addition to brutal season-ending injury

The Tennessee Titans defeated the New England Patriots 20-17 in Sunday's Week 9 overtime thriller. Head coach Brian Callahan breathed a sigh of relief after his Titans grinded out a victory to end a three-game losing streak despite giving up a game-tying touchdown on fourth-and-goal as time expired in regulation. Despite the thrilling win, it wasn't all good news for the Titans.

Starting center Lloyd Cushenberry exited the tight-knit contest with an injury and was replaced by veteran interior lineman Corey Levin. The Titans were already down an interior linemen, with Daniel Brunskill starting at right guard in place of the injured Dillon Radunz. Paul Kuharsky is now reporting that Cushenberry suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

The Titans lost several keynote players to injury throughout Sunday's contest, including veteran safety Quandre Diggs in addition to Cushenberry. We await updates on the severity of Diggs' setback. Superstar defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was also in and out of the lineup with a lower-leg injury.

Cushenberry is one of the Titans’ five captains. General manager Ran Carthon signed him to a four-year contract worth $50 million with $26 million in fully guaranteed money to help improve a struggling offensive line. Though Tennessee's offensive line has largely failed to meet preseason expectations, Cushenberry had been a consistent, steadying presence for Callahan's offense.

The Titans made Cushenberry the third-highest paid center in the league in total contract value, according to Over The Cap. Cushenberry's average annual salary ($12.5 million) also ranks third, behind Creed Humphrey and Frank Ragnow. The $26 million in guarantees also places third among his peers.

Entering Sunday, Pro Football Focus had credited Cushenberry with allowing 13 quarterback pressures and zero sacks. They've also assigned Cushenberry a pass protection grade of 54.8, and a run-blocking score of 55.7. He's been whistled for just three penalties all season. He's been Bill Callahan's third-best lineman, behind rookie left tackle JC Latham, and sophomore left guard Peter Skoronski.

The Titans will likely view Brunskill as the starting center moving forward. The veteran swing lineman has been backing up all three interior positions this campaign. Though Brunskill started at right guard Sunday, he'll be earmarked to slide into Cushenberry's vacancy once Radunz resurfaces at right guard. Levin, who struggled snapping the ball accurately versus the Patriots, should receive permanent elevation from the practice squad to the active roster after serving as a standard game-day call up on Sunday.