JC

Latham

After missing four games in a row, Latham has a chance to be back to man the right side for the Titans. Tennessee’s replacement tackles were John Ojukwu (42.8 PFF offensive grade) and Oli Udoh (52.3 PFF offensive grade), so perhaps a healthy Latham can give Cam Ward some more room to operate in Week 6.

The Titans could have put Latham on injured reserve after Week 1, but now have spent four weeks without the active roster spot and Latham has barely practiced. Hard to believe such a well-run organization is 0-4. Brian Callahan did say that Latham could be up for Week 6. Oli Udoh is the favorite to start at right tackle in Week 5 against the Cardinals.

Latham will now miss his third-straight game with a hip injury, but head coach Brian Callahan said the second-year tackle doesn’t need any surgery, but rather some rest and rehab. Now set to enter a third-straight week of rest, we’ll hope that Latham, who the team opted to keep off injured reserve, will be able to get right in time for Week 5’s game against the Cardinals. Backup RT John Ojukwu is expected to start in Latham’s absence.

Latham has now not practiced at all in either of the last two weeks after leaving Week 1’s game against the Broncos with the injury. It’s possible he winds up on injured reserve over the weekend. The Titans started John Ojukwu last week, but have also used Oli Udoh at right tackle in Week 1. Either way, it’s good news for Colts D/ST streamers this week.

Neither will T’Vondre Sweat, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Oli Udoh looks to be next in line for snaps at right tackle for Tennessee. It’s a big downgrade for Cam Ward’s protection as the rookie quarterback continues to fight against his supporting cast to produce aesthetically pleasing statistics.

That makes two absences for Mullings this week. If the sixth-round rookie cannot suit up for Week 2, that would leave the Titans with just Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut as the available running backs on the active roster. Pollard totaled 19 touches against the Broncos last week, with Tyjae Spears (ankle) on injured reserve. He is likely to do so again against a slightly softer Rams defense. Titans OT JC Latham (hip) and DT T’Vondre Sweat (ankle) were also not seen practicing.

Latham aggravated a preseason hip injury in Week 1 against the Broncos. The 22-year-old tackle played 45 snaps before exiting, with Oli Udoh replacing him at right tackle. Latham’s status for Week 2 and the foreseeable future remains in doubt. Also not practicing for the Titans Wednesday were S Quandre Diggs (hand) and DT T’Vondre Sweat (ankle).

Latham left Week 1’s game after playing 45 of 57 snaps, giving way to Olisaemeka Udoh at right tackle. It would be a huge loss for the Titans if Latham was sent to injured reserve.

Latham performed poorly enough that the Titans moved him to right tackle by signing Dan Moore to man the blind side in March. “He looks great, he’s in great shape, he’s moving really well. I’m excited about where he’s at but all the credit goes to him,” Callahan added.

A true super-heavyweight LT prospect who checked in at 6’6/342 at the NFL Scouting Combine, Latham spent his freshman year at RG before making a permanent move to RT as a sophomore. Latham took to his new position quickly, improving his blocking efficiency rate from 96.4%-to-98.8% while allowing zero sacks and just one QB hit in 486 pass reps. His play elevated to All-American levels in 2023, with Latham leading Alabama with a superb 0.6% blown block rate on run plays while allowing three hits and two sacks on 429 pass reps. With a double-wide XXL frame, Latham has unnatural mirroring ability and explosiveness for his size. He does have a tendency to lean into contact and can be beaten with speed around the hoop, leaving him vulnerable to inside counters against upper-echelon pass rushers. A difference-making road grader in the run game with a hybrid guard/tackle build, Latham is a top flight offensive lineman and fills a desperate need for Tennessee.