Jay

Alford

Alford worked out for the Titans Tuesday. The Steelers are looking for depth on their defensive line with Aaron Smith possibly out for the year and Brett Keisel banged up.

Starter Tony Brown missed last week’s game with a knee injury, so the Titans are looking for insurance. Alford is also scheduled to work out for the Steelers on Wednesday.

Alford, a former starter for the Giants, struggled to find a role in Oakland while coming off ACL surgery.

It’s a nice pickup for Oakland. Alford is still on his way back from ACL surgery, but can be an explosive interior pass rusher when healthy. New Raiders defensive line coach Mike Waufle was with the Giants from 2004-2009.

The Penn State product will have a chance to play right away in New York. Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield are currently projected as starters.

Alford, a rookie from Penn State, is not expected to return. The third-round pick has only one tackle in his first year, but it was a sack.

Alford, who had three sacks on limited snaps in just 10 games last season, will play in sub-packages this year. Tuck indicates Alford will play next to him at tackle in the nickel, but that role is probably Rocky Bernard’s. Either way, Alford is another example of New York’s league-best depth on the line.

Alford partially tore his ACL on Aug. 22 but held out hope he could rehab without surgery. He knocks out a little of the Giants’ impressive depth on the defensive line. He’ll be placed on injured reserve before tomorrow.

Alford’s anterior cruciate knee ligament was only partially torn, but it’s still going to knock him out for the year. The explosive interior pass rusher will return in 2010 as a solid bet to make the roster.

The Giants were expecting Canty to be a major part of the their defensive line rotation when they signed him to the monster six-year deal in March. Now he can’t seem to shake this hamstring problem, hasn’t practiced since Aug. 7 and isn’t close to getting back on the field. Jay Alford had been filling for Canty but he was carted off during Saturday’s preseason game with a knee injury, the extent of which is unknown.