In a season that has seen the NFL open multiple investigations into teams underreporting injuries, are the Titans leaning in the opposite direction? Fans have been calling for the team to tank for a better draft position for weeks. The players will never lean into a tank mentality, because improving the team’s draft position is in direct conflict with them putting together tape that earns them future contracts. However, coaches could exploit NFL mandates to increase the chance of a loss by over-reporting on the injury report. Mike Vrabel has developed a reputation for finding ways to create an advantage for his team by finding wiggle room in the rulebook, is he finding disadvantages for his team in the final 3 weeks of the season now?
Fulton Surprised To Hear He Is On IR
It seemed to begin a couple of weeks ago when starting CB Fulton was shocked to learn he had been shut down for the season. After missing practice with a sore hamstring, he was asked about the team’s decision to place him on the injured reserve list. Sitting in the locker room moments after being told he was done for the season, Fulton expressed surprise & a look toward the future. When asked if he wanted that future to be in Tennessee, he simply replied “We’ll see.” Given that Fulton is in a contract year and believes he was healthy enough to finish the season, this feels like a strategic move to evaluate other corners without using a roster spot on Fulton.
I just try to come in and do my part, day in and day out, since I’ve gotten to Tennessee. I know I can play in this league, I know I’m a top corner in this league. So, wherever that may be, it’ll all work out for me.
NWI Lands On IR
One of the Titans’ more consistent receivers suffered a hand injury in the Titans’ 19-16 OT loss to Houston. Much like Fulton, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine seemed surprised that the injury was enough to end his season. Some fans have speculated that the Titans were trying to do the right thing by the player by shutting him down. Because he had been more productive than expected in 2023, allowing him to play injured would likely result in bad tape & hurt his interest as he enters free agency. While that may be true, it also gives the Titans one less target that their quarterback is comfortable with.
Injury Report Manipulation?
The NFL is infamously suspicious of teams hiding or under-reporting injuries to gain a competitive advantage. However, they seem less concerned about teams over-reporting injuries. The most common example is when Tom Brady gave a locker room interview after a game with ice on his shoulder without appearing on the team’s injury report, resulting in an inquiry by the NFL. In response, Brady was included on every injury report for the rest of the season with a phantom shoulder injury. Despite this being an obviously sarcastic response, the NFL seemed satisfied. Did Vrabel learn something from this?
Going into Week 16, Vrabel has included nearly 50% of the team’s 53-man roster on his injury reports. With key starters and contributors being left inactive for the game (including DT Jeffrey Simmons, Lbs Jack Gibbens and Luke Glifford, S Amoni Hooker, and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting), many are questioning how many of these players would be left in street clothes if the Titans had beat the Texans to keep their playoff hopes alive. Is Vrabel using the NFL’s injury report to manipulate his roster into a backdoor tank, despite the players on the field attempting to win the game?
