Titans lose in-form defender to brutal season-ending injury

Tennessee Titans third-year linebacker Jack Gibbens had been taking advantage of his opportunity. Ever since general manager Ran Carthon traded Ernest Jones IV to the Seattle Seahawks following a Week 7 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, Gibbens had been starting at off-ball linebacker next to Kenneth Murray.

In Gibbens' first start of the season, the former undrafted free agent totaled eight tackles against the Detroit Lions. Hitting his groove, Gibbens compiled an astounding 29 tackles in Tennessee's next two games. He routinely earned praise from head coach Brian Callahan and the staff while relegating veteran 'backer Jerome Baker to a rotational role on the bench.

Gibbens made his fourth consecutive start in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. In true gut-wrenching fashion, Gibbens suffered a gruesome season-ending ankle injury during the first half. His teammates surrounded him on the field as his lower leg was placed in an air cast as he was carted into the locker room.

Callahan confirmed that Gibbens underwent surgery on Monday and will be placed on season-ending IR.

Jack Gibbens is lost for the year

Gibbens had played 100 percent of Dennard Wilson's available snaps in three straight contests. On Sunday, he was injured just 12 snaps into the defeat versus the Vikings. Baker played the remaining 61 snaps.

Gibbens was playing out the final year of his contract as an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA). Despite the lengthy road to recovery he now faces, the Titans will likely exercise their right to retain him in 2025. Gibbens offers Wilson's defense affordable depth at a position littered with youth and question marks.

The injury could create opportunity for a pair of rookie linebackers to start earning defensive snaps. Fourth-round rookie Cedric Gray was a healthy scratch on Sunday after missing the majority of training camp and the regular season with an injury. The Titans invested a fairly high selection in Gray, and they'd be wise to evaluate him down the stretch of a wasted campaign.

Rookie seventh-rounder James Williams could also garner consideration from the coaching staff. Theoretically speaking, Williams may be better-prepared than Gray for immediate snaps. The former Miami standout has played 116 snaps on special teams this season, but has yet to be involved in a single defensive play.

The Titans face their AFC South rival Houston Texans on Sunday. Murray will start at linebacker with the veteran Baker likely earning the opposite nod. With Gibbens no longer available, Gray and Williams will be relishing opportunities to play.