The Tennessee Titans are getting hit hard in the secondary, and with just a few weeks left in the season, it’s a tough time to lose depth - especially at safety. On Monday, the team placed Xavier Woods, Mike Brown, and rookie Kevin Winston Jr. on injured reserve, effectively ending their 2025 campaigns.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a shuffle at the bottom of the depth chart. All three safeties had carved out roles in Tennessee’s rotation, and their absence leaves a significant gap on the back end of the defense. With the playoff picture still taking shape and every possession mattering more than ever, the Titans are now forced to pivot - and quickly.
To help stop the bleeding, Tennessee signed Erick Hallett off the Lions’ practice squad and added Sanoussi Kane from the Ravens’ taxi squad. Neither move is flashy, but both are necessary. Hallett and Kane will be expected to contribute right away, whether on special teams or in sub-packages, as the Titans try to patch together a secondary that’s suddenly thin.
Xavier Woods is the most experienced of the group heading to IR. The 30-year-old veteran has been around the league since 2017, when he was drafted in the sixth round by the Cowboys out of Louisiana Tech.
After four years in Dallas, Woods had a one-year stop with the Vikings in 2021, followed by a three-year stint with the Panthers. He signed with Tennessee on a two-year, $10 million deal, bringing leadership and versatility to the safety room.
This season, Woods played in 11 games and logged 39 tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and three pass breakups. Those aren’t just filler stats - they reflect a player who was consistently around the ball and capable of making plays in coverage and run support. His loss stings, both in terms of production and presence.
Mike Brown and Kevin Winston Jr. were also part of the safety rotation, with Winston, a third-round rookie, showing promise in his first year. Losing him now halts his development just as he was starting to find his footing in the league.
For the Titans, this is a test of depth and adaptability. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will have to get creative with his personnel, possibly leaning more on hybrid packages or rotating corners into safety roles. It’s not ideal, but in December football, few things ever are.
The Titans still have plenty to play for, but their margin for error just got smaller. With three safeties down and two new faces stepping in, Tennessee’s secondary will be under the microscope - and opposing quarterbacks will be watching closely.