Nov 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) rushes against Tennessee Titans offensive guard Byron Bell (76) during a game at NRG Stadium. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans lost offensive lineman Byron Bell for the season on the first day of Organized Team Activities with a serious ankle injury.
“I know it’s dislocated,” Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. “I don’t know all the medical terms. He’ll be out for this season.”
Bell started all 16 games last season (seven at left guard, eight at right tackle and one at left tackle) and was expected to be a veteran presence this year among three new starters.
“The loss is greater than you think because he can play inside and outside and on both sides,” Mularkey said. “He was coming here to compete for a job, and there was no question about that when he came into the building.”
Teammates turned away at the sight of the injury, which occurred during the final minutes of team drills, and some stopped to pray as Bell covered his face while the leg was placed in an air cast.
The Titans had re-signed Bell to a one-year deal in March. Before coming to Tennessee last season, he was with the Carolina Panthers for four years.
“‘Bear’ has really had a great offseason,” Mularkey said. “He’s worked hard. That’s the first thing he said, that he’s worked too hard for it to end like this. Those are the kind of injuries that we are going to have in this game. … We’re going to miss him.”
With Bell sidelined, the Titans likely will put rookie Jack Conklin, the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, at right tackle next to guard Chance Warmack, with Taylor Lewan at left tackle and Ben Jones at center. Expected to battle at left guard are Quinton Spain, Jeremiah Poutasi and rookie sixth-round draft pick Sebastian Tretola.
“It’s going to be one of those next-man-up situations,” Mularkey said. “Somebody’s going to get an opportunity now who may not have got one before.”
