The Tennessee Titans moved on from Jordan Elliott on Tuesday after what the team called an unexplained incident at its facilities last week, and the details that surfaced painted a frightening picture.
Multiple reports said the veteran defensive tackle left the practice field after an altercation with offensive tackle JC Latham last Thursday, went to the parking lot, and retrieved a gun from his car. Veteran defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers stepped in and talked him down, and nobody was hurt.
On Wednesday, Titans head coach Robert Saleh defended Elliott’s character while addressing the situation with reporters, framing it as more than a simple on-field flare-up.
"This is a man who's a father, a great husband - he's never committed a crime in his entire life. He pulled a gun in the parking lot," Saleh said.
"Why would a great man, a great father, a man who shows up on time every day, works his ass off every day, contributes the way he's supposed to contribute, is well liked in the locker room - why did he go off the rails and grab a gun? To me, those are small signs of a cry for help.
Saleh continued by saying, “These kids go through a lot. I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character," Saleh added.
"My message to 31 other teams: If you need a hell of a run-stopping DT that can help for a playoff run, give me a call. I'll tell you everything you need to know about him.
He’s a good man. Had a terrible lapse in judgment.”
The Titans are set to play the Cleveland Browns in a Week 7 game on Sunday.
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