Ty

Sambrailo

Sambrailo, 29, joins Bud Dupree (knee) and Jeremy McNichols on the sidelines to open camp. The former missed the final six games on injured reserve last year and is reportedly making “good progress” in his recovery. He’ll compete with OT Kendall Lamm for Tennessee’s right tackle job when healthy.

Sambrailo missed the final six games on IR last year. He re-signed with the Titans this offseason and is close to being 100 percent. With Dennis Kelly gone, Sambrailo is in the mix to start at right tackle with Kendall Lamm, but will likely end up in a swing role.

Sambrailo made five starts at left tackle last season before landing on injured reserve. He held up decently well in Taylor Lewan’s absence, but not as somebody who is going to get a starting opportunity in 2021. Sambrailo can also play guard, so keeping his versatility around after last season was probably an easy call. Sambrailo turned 29 earlier this month.

Sambrailo’s official injury was not announced. Sambrailo had been starting in Taylor Lewan’s place on Ryan Tannehill’s blindside. David Quessenberry was the next man up against the Ravens on Sunday, though it’s possible first-rounder Isaiah Wilson will be thrown into the fire. That would be the higher upside, but far riskier, move after Wilson has bungled through a disastrous (COVID-19, drunk driving) rookie campaign. It’s a concern for Tannehill, obviously.

It’s a big loss for the Tennessee offense. Ty Sambrailo, who replaced Lewan on Sunday against the Texans, was immediately beaten for a sack-fumble. Lewan pledged to return from the knee injury, though it’s hard to say if he’ll be ready for training camp next August.

The Falcons released 28-year-old Sambrailo only 96 reserve snaps into his outlandish three-year, $14.25 million extension. He’s expected to compete with OL David Quessenberry for Tennessee’s top swing-tackle spot. He’s also another tackle-eligible receiving ‘threat’ for OC Arthur Smith to leverage given that the 311-pounder already has one career touchdown reception under his belt.

The move clears $3.7 million in cap space. Sambrailo parlayed four late-season 2018 starts into a “three-year contract” last offseason but remained a reserve in 2019. A too highly paid one, it turns out. The ex-Bronco turned 28 last week.

A former second-round pick by the Broncos, Sambrailo has mostly been a reserve tackle throughout his career, but he was forced into four late-season starts -- three at right tackle and one at left guard -- last year. He showed well in those starts, however, and will likely get a shot to win the right tackle job in camp.

Sambrailo suffered the injury two weeks into camp and has no timetable for return. Beat writer Mike Klis hinted the Broncos may have to make a trade before the start of the season, suggesting Ravens OG Ryan Jensen as a target.

It was his first practice since July 31. Sambrailo was officially limited on Sunday and practiced with a brace on his injured elbow. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Denver’s opener Thursday night against Carolina. Michael Schofield would likely draw the start at right guard if Sambrailo has to sit out.