Tennessee Titans veteran safety Quandre Diggs suffered a season-ending foot injury in Sunday's victory over the New England Patriots. His absence thrust rotational player Mike Brown into a mid-game starring role opposite Amani Hooker. On Wednesday, general manager Ran Carthon further addressed the immediate future of the position in the wake of Diggs' injury.
The Titans are signing veteran safety Mike Edwards, according to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Edwards will sign a contract with Tennessee, pending a physical. Edwards should begin practicing with the Titans ahead of Sunday's Week 10 date with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Veteran safety Mike Edwards is on his way to Tennessee to sign with the #Titans pending physical, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 6, 2024
Tennessee has a need due to injury and the Bills granted Edwards his release Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/dn8prUnZNA
Edwards was released by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and quickly found a new home in Nashville. General manager Brandon Beane attempted to deal him prior to the NFL trade deadline, but to avail. Edwards was granted his release after nothing materialized.
Edwards signed a one-year contract with the Bills in March. The former Kentucky standout suffered an injury in training camp that hampered his chances to earn a starting role. As a result, he was passed over for a prominent role by Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who opted to place his trust in safeties Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and Cole Bishop instead.
Edwards initially entered the league as a third-round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2019 NFL Draft. He won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady's Bucs in 2020. Edwards later joined the Chiefs ahead of 2023. He arguably strung together his best professional season, accumulating 51 tackles, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one interception en route to winning his second Super Bowl.
The current expectation is that Edwards will partner Hooker in Dennard Wilson's defensive backfield. Hooker is an outstanding safety who recorded two interceptions in Sunday's thrilling overtime win over the Patriots. Edwards should offer Wilson a different skill set as a defender who does his best work playing close to the line of scrimmage.
The Titans have experienced an odd season at the safety position. Carthon attempted to strengthen the position by signing both Jamal Adams and Diggs in the offseason. Diggs has now suffered a season-ending injury, and Adams was released from his contract after allegedly complaining about his playing time.
Edwards could play himself into a long-term role with the Titans if he maximizes this opportunity. Carthon possesses no in-house answers to partner Hooker next season and beyond. If Edwards plays well in Tennessee's final nine games, the Titans could consider re-signing him to avoid having to pour offseason capital into the position.