Titans' lucrative offseason addition makes immediate difference in return from IR

The Tennessee Titans got a key defender back in Sunday's disappointing 10-6 Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cornerback Chido Awuzie, who signed a three-year contract worth $36 million with the team in the offseason, played for the first time since going on IR after suffering a groin injury in a 30-14 Week 3 defeat to the Green Bay Packers.

Despite the embarrassment that occurred at Nissan Stadium, Awuzie made an immediate and positive impact.

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson continued having to shuffle things in the secondary. Would-be starting boundary corners Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed have been sidelined for the majority of the campaign. On Sunday, Awuzie returned, but nickel corner Roger McCreary was out with a shoulder injury.

The Titans managed to ease Awuzie back into the lineup. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Darrell Baker Jr. continued serving as the outside cornerbacks in base personnel. Both of them played all 59 defensive snaps. When Wilson switched to nickel defense, Awuzie entered the game outside, kicking Brownlee Jr. inside to McCreary's vacant nickel position.

Awuzie played a healthy 43 snaps as a result. That accounted for 73 percent of Wilson's available defensive plays. It took him no time to make his returning presence felt. Jacksonville's first offensive drive of the afternoon had reached Tennessee's 45 yard line before a Walker Little false start backed Mac Jones and the offense up into a 3rd-and-16 situation at midfield. Jones overthrew his receiver into double coverage and Awuzie made the leaping interception.

Pro Football Focus credited Awuzie with an outstanding 76.7 grade in pass coverage. His interception was the lone target Jones threw in his direction all afternoon via his 29 snaps in coverage. Awuzie also made two tackles and wasn't whistled for any penalties.

Awuzie may find himself battling for playing time down the stretch of the remaining campaign. If and when McCeary returns, he'll reclaim his spot as the nickel corner. That'll leave Awuzie, Brownlee Jr., and Baker Jr. battling for two positions as the boundary cornerbacks in all personnel packages.

The likeliest scenario sees Baker Jr. relegated to the bench with Awuzie and Brownlee Jr. serving as the starters. Or perhaps Wilson will rotate all three corners given Awuzie's injury history this campaign. In truth, Baker Jr. has played well enough to retain his spot, but the sizable investment made in the $36 million corner could alter the decision.

The financial details of Awuzie's contract essentially guarantees he'll be on the roster in 2025. The Titans are invested and possess plenty of incentive to get Awuzie going. Sunday's reintroduction was a positive start.