Brad

Kassell

Kassell probably wouldn’t be in the lineup if not for injuries to the rest of the Tennessee lineup. He was supposed to be out until October, but returned last week.

An MRI revealed the partial tear, but Kassell is expected to get a second opinion. There’s a chance Kassell’s injury might not require surgery, but the team will know more in the coming days. Kassell is the second Titans’ linebacker to suffer a serious injury this preseason. Peter Sirmon is out for the season with a torn ACL.

He finished with 128 tackles and is an IDP up-and-comer.

He was out after a freak accident left a deep cut in his leg.

Kassell is out 6-8 weeks, and could still be placed on IR.

Both players made two tackles, but this could be permanent. The Jets have never been happy with Barton and considered cutting him before the season. He’s very unlikely to return in 2008 at a $3.2 million base salary.

The backup linebacker injured his knee attempting to sack Brady Quinn in Friday’s preseason opener. Kassell is cheaply under contract through 2010.

Kassell notched 77 stops and an interception in 2005 with the Titans.

A natural fit to play inside in a 3-4 defense, Kassell figures to be a reserve behind Jonathan Vilma and Eric Barton in New York. We wonder if the team has considered moving Vilma to the outside, which would be devastating to his fantasy value. We doubt it.