Chidobe Awuzie has been out of the Titans’ lineup since September, however he could possibly be again within the image quickly. The veteran nook will return to follow this week, head coach Brian Callahan introduced on Monday.
Awuzie suffered a groin harm in Week 3, and he landed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. The IR designation ensured not less than a four-game absence, however the 29-year-old has been unavailable effectively previous the purpose when he first turned eligible to renew working towards. Right this moment’s information is a optimistic replace concerning Awuzie’s capability to participate within the latter phases of the marketing campaign, although.
As soon as the free agent pickup formally returns to follow, his 21-day activation interval will start. Awuzie will must be moved to the lively roster inside that span to keep away from reverting to season-ending IR. Offered that occurs, he’ll give Tennessee one other beginning possibility within the secondary after he dealt with first-team duties throughout his opening Titans contests.
Awuzie adopted Callahan from Cincinnati to Tennessee this offseason, inking a three-year, $36M deal. Expectations had been excessive for the previous second-rounder specifically and the Titans’ secondary general getting into the 12 months. The commerce acquisition of L’Jarus Sneed and the hiring of Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator has helped Tennessee lead the NFL in passing yards allowed per sport up to now (170). That success has come regardless of Sneed being restricted to solely 5 contests in 2024; he is now on IR.
Whereas Sneed is about to proceed lacking time, Awuzue may return to motion as quickly as Week 13. He is not going to play a task in a postseason run given Tennessee’s 3-8 report, however remaining wholesome upon activation can be a welcomed improvement for group and participant forward of the 2025 marketing campaign.