The Tennessee Titans are set to get a key piece of their special teams unit back just in time for their Week 14 clash with the Cleveland Browns. Safety Kendell Brooks, who’s quietly carved out a niche as one of the team’s most reliable special teamers, is expected to return after missing the last two games with a concussion.
Brooks cleared concussion protocol and has been practicing fully all week, signaling that his return to the active roster was more a matter of "when" than "if." Now, he’s on track to suit up for his seventh game of the season - and his first since November 16.
While Brooks is officially listed as a safety, his impact has come almost entirely on special teams. The undrafted rookie has logged just one defensive snap this season, but don’t let that fool you.
He’s been a fixture on every special teams unit - kickoff, kick return, punt, and punt return - in each game he’s been active. That kind of consistency and versatility is tough to find, especially from a first-year player still carving out his role.
And before his brief absence, Brooks was trending up. In Week 11 against the Houston Texans, he turned in what was easily his most impactful performance to date, leading the Titans with three special teams tackles - two of them solo efforts. For a player fighting to make his mark, that kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed.
Brooks’ return is also timely for a Titans secondary that’s been hit hard by injuries. With cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis ruled out for Sunday, Tennessee will head into the game with just nine active defensive backs. That’s a thin margin, and it puts added value on players like Brooks, who can step in if needed and provide depth beyond their usual special teams responsibilities.
The Titans have been forced to get creative with their depth chart in recent weeks, leaning on younger and less experienced players to fill the gaps. That includes seventh-round rookie Micah Robinson, who was signed off the Packers’ practice squad in October, and former Cowboys starter Kaiir Elam, who joined the team more recently.
For now, Brooks’ return gives Tennessee a much-needed boost in the third phase of the game - and potentially a little insurance in the secondary. He may not be a household name, but his presence on the field has been felt in all the right ways.