The Tennessee Titans lost several wide receivers to injury in Sunday's 16-13 Week 11 defeat to the Houston Texans. Calvin Ridley suffered a season-ending fibula injury that places his future standing with the team in question. Rookie wideout Chimere Dike also left the game after being diagnosed with a chest injury despite initially clearing concussion protocol.
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward was left with a dire wide receiver trio of Van Jefferson, Mason Kinsey, and Elic Ayomanor. Kinsey was partially to blame for two missed opportunities in the passing game, and Ayomanor was in and out of the lineup with an injury. All these injuries and uncertainty could finally lead to rookie receiver Xavier Restrepo shaking up the depth chart.
Ridley will be placed on season-ending IR. Dike and Ayomanor will be monitored at practice, but it would be surprising if at least one of them wasn't sidelined versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12. Restrepo and James Proche II are the two practice squad receivers most likely to be on call.
Titans UDFA WR Xavier Restrepo could finally shake up the depth chart in Week 12
Titans fans have spent the season literally begging for Restrepo to be called up from the practice squad. Management has instead remained steadfast in their belief that he's currently not an NFL-level receiver. They've preferred to play practice squad mainstays (Kinsey) and veteran journeymen ahead of him.
Kinsey put forth a lackluster effort Sunday. Proche played ahead of Restrepo earlier this season when a call-up was required. The Titans could need two options given the multiple injuries, but if they need one, Restrepo should be the choice.
Restrepo has built-in chemistry with Ward from their shared Miami Hurricanes days. Given Ward's struggles and inconsistencies on offense this season, it's maddening that the Titans haven't provided his most familiar target with a fair opportunity. Considering everything that transpired Sunday, from dropped passes to multiple injuries, they are running out of excuses to keep Restrepo on the bench.