Calvin

Lowry

Vincent Fuller is also in contention, but Lowry impressed the coaches as a rookie last season.

The team is looking for a replacement on special teams for Lowry, and is giving rookie tailback Chris Henry a shot there. Strong safety Chris Hope remains the best bet for consistent IDP value in Tennessee’s secondary.

Griffin, who played special teams in his first six games, was credited with four tackles in his starting debut. Lowry wasn’t playing badly, but Griffin is more gifted and figures to be an upgrade in a solid, young secondary.

No Hope further weakens the Titans’ once potent run defense and should be good news for Texans TE Owen Daniels in the passing game. Calvin Lowry, who started at free safety earlier this season, will fill in on Sunday.

Calvin Lowry will take over for the final four weeks. Hope may need surgery, but coach Jeff Fisher says the injury isn’t career threatening. A former Steeler, Hope had been worth every penny of the $30 million contract he signed prior to the 2006 season as both a coverage player and in run support.

Lowry is only 26 and offers 14 games of starting experience at both the free and strong safety positions. He’ll likely get picked up before camp opens.

Colbert still can’t separate and dropped too many passes in preseason to beat out Dennis Northcutt. The Lions are going thin on defensive backs.

Lowry, 26, has proved he isn’t a high-impact player in 14 career starts, but it’s a solid pickup for Detroit. The Lions need help at strong safety. We wouldn’t rule out Lowry starting games in-season if he makes the roster.

Ealy began camp as Tennessee’s third receiver, but the coaching staff appears to have chosen Roydell Williams over him. Lowry was a fourth safety.

Lowry, who started 11 games for Tennessee at strong safety in 2007 and wasn’t an obvious liability, could prove an upgrade over either of Denver’s weak starters. SS Marquand Manuel, especially, will lack good job security.