Jeffery

Simmons

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the contract makes Simmons, 28, the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history and includes $100 million guaranteed. Per PFF, Simmons led NFL defensive tackles with 12 sacks last season, while ranking in the top three in both quarterback pressures (64) and TFLs (12). His 43 solo tackles tied for sixth. Through seven NFL seasons, Simmons has appeared in four Pro Bowls, while earning two second-team All-Pro spots and one first-team All-Pro spot.

Ridley’s hamstring injury kept him down from Weeks 7-9, not including a Week 10 bye. He’ll be on the WR4/WR5 line in a tough matchup against a good Texans pass defense. Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and Arden Key (quad) are also active. Inactive for the Titans are: S Xavier Woods (hamstring), S Jerrick Reed II, G Drew Moss and T Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson.

Simmons hasn’t played since Week 7. It looked like he would be out again this week when the Titans held him out of practice on Wednesday. However, he returned for two limited sessions and a questionable designation entering the weekend. It sounds like the Titans will have their top pass-rusher back versus Davis Mills and the Texans. Simmons has 4.5 sacks this year.

The 1-7 Titans will be without their defensive leader in a matchup against one of the league’s top offenses. It’s a tough break for a team that will also be without its WR1, as Calvin Ridley will miss a third-straight game with a hamstring injury of his own. Simmons has totaled 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks in seven games this season and will likely be replaced by C.J. Ravenell, who is listed behind him on the depth chart.

Simmons is now on the wrong side of questionable, which is a tough loss for the Titans’ defense. The unit could also be without OLB Arden Key (quadricep) and backup OLB Jihad Ward (undisclosed) who were also absent during the portion of practice open to the media. The Titans are tasked with containing the Chargers’ offense in Week 9.

Simmons missed Week 8’s game with the same hamstring issue. He now looks likely to miss a second week because of it. Fellow pass-rusher Arden Key also remains out of practice. He is dealing with a quad issue. The Titans didn’t have a great defense before these injuries. Losing Simmons and Key will make them an easier matchup for the Chargers on Sunday.

He didn’t practice at all this week. We’d bet more on a Week 10 return than a Week 9 return for Simmons given how this has gone thus far, and we probably can’t rule out an IR placement on Saturday. Without their best defensive player the Titans will be in (searching for word that is worse than deep trouble) deeper trouble than usual against the Colts.

Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is expected to miss some time with a quad injury. McCoy didn’t rule out Simmons for Week 8, but it doesn’t sound like he is expected to play this week. Simmons has been one of the few bright spots for the Titans this year with 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble through eight games. The Titans’ defense will continue to struggle in his absence.

The Titans’ best player was declared questionable in the first half before being formally ruled out after the break. It’s a classic “what else could go wrong?” for a team that just fired its head coach. Considering the lost state of Tennessee’s season and Simmons being potential trade fodder, he could be looking at a multi-week absence.

Simmons has, once again, been the lone bright spot on an otherwise dreadful Titans team. He has 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble this year. Rapoport noted that, even with two years left on his current deal, Simmons could be in line for a big extension soon. He also named Arden Key, Roger McCreary, and Dre’Mont Jones as veterans who could be on the move for Tennessee.