Injuries leave Titans working with thin group at receiver

Updated Nov. 26, 2021 4:36 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Julio Jones is on injured reserve. A.J. Brown is out with a chest injury. Marcus Johnson's season is done after being put on injured reserve for the second time this season.

The receiving corps Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans thought they'd have this season currently is a thin, patchwork group as they prepare to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday. The quarterback is busy working to make sure everyone is on the same page — quickly.

“It’s hard, no doubt about it,” Tannehill said. “We have to communicate really, really well. Be on the same page in the film room and the installs and make sure we are communicating everything clearly. Communicating exactly what I am expecting. If we do get some full speed reps, taking advantage of every rep we get.”

Brown, the Titans' leading receiver and a 2020 Pro Bowler, left

Running back Jeremy McNichols, second on the team with 25 receptions, also will be out for a second straight game with a concussion.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who went undrafted out of Indiana last year, became the fourth Tennessee receiver to have a 100-yard receiving game this season. He caught seven passes for 107 yards, joining Brown (two), Jones, and Johnson in that category.

The Titans are tied for the most different 100-yard receivers this season with the Buffalo Bills.

On Sunday, the Titans (8-3) likely will start Westbrook-Ikhine and Chester Rogers with rookie Dez Fitzpatrick. They signed veteran Golden Tate to the practice squad Tuesday, adding him to a group including Austin Mack, Cody Hollister and Mason Kinsey as other options to promote for this game.

Coach Mike Vrabel says having Tannehill is critical with the “moving pieces" and notes the quarterback worked with Hollister in training camp. Vrabel said both Westbrook-Ikhine and Rogers have done a lot for the Titans, with Fitzpatrick now starting to get a larger role.

“And that’s just kind of where you are in this part of the season,” Vrabel said.

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Westbrook-Ikhine has started four games in his young career, three this season. Last week, he became the 15th player that Tannehill has helped produce a 100-yard receiving game in the quarterback's NFL career.

Only Tom Brady (18), Philip Rivers (17), Ben Roethlisberger (17), Matthew Stafford (16) and Drew Brees (16) have thrown to more different receivers with 100-yard receiving games since 2012. Tannehill is tied with Matt Ryan (15) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (15) for sixth most in that span.

Westbrook-Ikhine says Tannehill does a good job being intentional on game-like reps in practice, talking about situations to get on the same page.

"I’ve been in situations in the game where I’m like, ‘Oh, this is like exactly what Ryan said in practice,’” Westbrook-Ikhine said.

Rogers started in a win over Buffalo in October, the 23rd of his five-year career. Rogers said it's next man up.

“Take advantage of opportunities man,” Rogers said. "You've got to love situations like this. It's unfortunate to have injuries, but a guy like me, I thrive off it. I got to take advantage of opportunities on Sunday, so I think everybody else in the locker room will do the same.”

NOTES: Vrabel also declared four other Titans out: RG Nate Davis (concussion), LBs David Long (hamstring) and Rashaan Evans (ankle) and DT Teair Tart. The Titans have used an NFL-high 82 players this season, two off the mark first set by Miami in 2019. They've also used 46 different starters. ... The Titans signed QB DeShone Kizer to the practice squad and put TE Austin Fort on the reserve-COVID-19 list. Fort is the third Tennessee player put on that reserve list since Monday.

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