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IT’S HAPPENING!!!
Ian Rapoport reported this morning that the Titans are going to activate first round defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons off the NFI list, making him officially available to play Sunday against the Chargers.
This is pretty amazing: The #Titans are activating first-round pick DL Jeffery Simmons, who tore his ACL during pre-draft training, sources say. They’ll be cautious, but clearly practice went well. He was on NFI.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2019
This is obviously great news for a defense that is already among the league’s best. This means that barring any last minute surprises we will see Simmons play Sunday for the first time as a Titan.
The Titans are also promoting UDFA edge rusher Derick Roberson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster as Cameron Wake (hamstring), Sharif Finch (shoulder), and Reggie Gilbert (knee) are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
To make room for Simmons and Roberson, the Titans are releasing defensive linemen Brent Urban and Matt Dickerson per John Glennon.
#Titans also releasing Matt Dickerson to make room for Simmons. So: Simmons, Roberson are in, and Urban, Dickerson are out.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) October 19, 2019
Dickerson has practice squad eligibility so I would expect him to be back with the Titans if he is not claimed off waivers by another team.
But there it is! Big Jeff is making his debut tomorrow after missing just six games with a torn ACL suffered in February. Based on the glowing comments from Mike Vrabel, Jurrell Casey, and others this week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make an instant impact even in what is sure to be a limited number of snaps.