The Tennessee Titans’ defensive line looks nothing like it did 10 days ago, and the ripple effect from losing Jeffery Simmons is hard to miss.
What had been one of the more stable parts of the roster has turned into a real puzzle heading into Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tennessee first moved on from Jordan Elliott after a tragic incident at the team facility, then stunned everyone by trading Simmons to the Chicago Bears for significant draft compensation. Now the group that once looked like a strength is suddenly a question mark.
The current picture along the defensive front lists John Franklin-Myers, Nazir Stackhouse, Solomon Thomas and Jermaine Johnson II as starters.
That setup comes with its own issues, though, because Franklin-Myers has been dealing with a back injury all season and did not practice Wednesday because of a groin injury. If he were fully healthy, one option would be to kick him inside and open up more reps for Faulk and Oladejo.
Oladejo has quietly made the most of limited snaps and has consistently graded out as one of Tennessee’s better defensive linemen. Faulk, meanwhile, is still looking for the kind of workload that would help him reach his ceiling.
Inside, Stackhouse has been one of the season’s bigger surprises and should continue to see his role grow. Marshall is another name to watch after being inactive all season. The Titans also added Laulu off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, and he could be pressed into duty quickly.
There’s also a chance Tennessee brings back Timmy Horne, who was waived to make room for Laulu, or at least gets him back on the practice squad.
More of the plan should come into focus as Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley sort through the post-Simmons version of this front.
In Other News...
Titans May Have Found A Defensive Line Answer Robert Saleh Needed
The Titans dipped into the waiver wire for another body on the defensive front, claiming defensive tackle Jonah Laulu after releasing Timmy Horne. It is a small roster move on paper, but for a team still searching for more consistent push up front, it could turn out to matter more than the usual late-season churn.
Laulu arrives with some usable production already on his rsum, including 5.5 career sacks and a half-sack this season, and he played in all 17 games for the Raiders in 2025. For a defensive line trying to give Robert Saleh more dependable options, the appeal is obvious, even if the real question is how quickly he can carve out a role once he gets to Tennessee. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Just Made A Jeffery Simmons Decision Fans Will Debate
The Titans have made a massive move in their rebuilding effort, agreeing to send defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Bears in a trade that brings back a hefty package of draft capital. Chicago is sending two first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-rounder to Tennessee, with the Titans also sending a 2028 fifth-round pick back the other way, and it is the kind of deal that instantly changes the shape of both franchises.
Simmons had recently signed a contract extension with Tennessee, which only adds another layer to what this decision means for the Titans future. For a team trying to reset its roster, adding multiple premium picks is the kind of return that can speed up a rebuild, but moving on from one of its cornerstone defenders will not sit easily with fans who viewed him as part of the long-term foundation. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Could Flip Another Productive Veteran In Fire Sale
After dealing Jeffery Simmons to the Bears, the Titans have made it clear they are open for business as they stockpile draft capital, now holding two first-round picks in each of the next two years. That kind of reset naturally puts the spotlight on other veterans who could draw interest before the market closes, and Tony Pollard stands out as one of the more productive names still in Tennessees backfield.
Pollard has been giving teams a reason to call, too, with a recent outing that included a season-high 129 rushing yards and three touchdowns. If the Titans decide to keep moving pieces, a running back with that kind of recent production could appeal to clubs looking for an immediate boost, with the Commanders and Vikings among the teams being linked as possible fits. [Read more 🡒]