PLAYER NOTES
–QB Marcus Mariota ran just twice IN last Sunday’s game against Buffalo for 10 yards after running 10 times for 46 yards the week before against the Eagles. Mariota seems more effective even in the passing game when the designed runs and scrambles are a part of the offense.
–TE Anthony Firkser was activated from the practice squad and joins the 53-man roster for the second time this season. Titans tight ends have not caught a pass the past two games, and have rarely even been targeted.
–LT Taylor Lewan left Sunday’s game with a foot injury and did not practice on Wednesday. Lewan did not finish the loss to the Bills but said after the game that he didn’t believe the injury would be a serious one.
–WR Cameron Batson is getting his second look on the active roster, replacing Nick Williams, who was waived after dropping a sure touchdown pass that cost the Titans a chance to win in Buffalo. Batson could see some action as a punt returner or perhaps on kickoffs.
–LB Robert Spillane was brought up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Monday and then suffered a knee injury and did not finish practice on Wednesday.
–LB Will Compton was out of practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury, which might have been the impetus for adding Robert Spillane to the 53-man roster.
–T Dennis Kelly went through a full practice on Wednesday as he workS his way back from an illness that still has gone undiagnosed. Kelly is taking medicine and has gained back the 15 pounds he lost during the time he was sick.
–S Kenny Vaccaro remains out with a dislocated right elbow suffered against the Eagles.
–LB Wesley Woodyard was back at practice in a limited role with his injured shoulder. Woodyard missed last week’s game with the injury.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LT Taylor Lewan. Lewan did not finish last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills due to a foot injury, and did not practice on Wednesday. If Lewan cannot go, the Titans will have to figure out some way to contain Terrell Suggs and the Ravens’ pass rush. Dennis Kelly is still trying to make his way back from an illness that has cost him a month of time. Tyler Marz struggled last week when he had to fill in for Lewan against Buffalo.
GAME PLAN: The Titans have been involved in a lot of low-scoring games already this season, and Sunday against the Ravens could easily be another one. The Titans need to find their running game, which showed some signs of life last week, as Derrick Henry had 56 yards on just 11 carries. Also, the Titans need to get Marcus Mariota involved in the rushing attack with some designed runs off the read option. In the passing game, Tennessee’s wideouts have been inconsistent at best, which is probably to be expected from such a young group. The Titans were able to attack downfield against Philadelphia, but that element was also missing against the Bills. The Titans should be able to find some success against the Baltimore defense, since it looks familiar to their own, with Dean Pees having defected from the Ravens to the Titans after a retirement that lasted about a month.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Ravens WR John Brown vs. Titans CB Adoree’ Jackson. Brown is the speedster in the Ravens’ passing attack, and is averaging better than 20 yards per catch this season. Jackson would seem to be the perfect cornerback to play against Brown, given that Jackson has speed, and can line up both outside and in the slot if the Titans elect to go man-to-man on the Ravens’ receivers.
–Titans RB Derrick Henry vs. Ravens LB C.J. Mosley. Alabama vs. Alabama here. The Titans need for their Tide guy (Henry) to get untracked and deliver a big game, after sluggish performances for most of the year by his own admission. Henry has been splitting time with Dion Lewis, but the Titans may need Henry to pound the ball inside and soften up the Ravens defense, of which Mosley is a key cog at linebacker.
