Titans place Bud Dupree on PUP list, Caleb Farley on NFI list, and other moves

The Tennessee Titans’ rookie class reported to training camp today and with that comes the first official injury designations of the 2021 season. The team announced today that EDGE rusher Bud Dupree was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP). Dupree was the team’s big free agent signing this year after they secured his services for five years at the price of $85 million, $35 million of which is guaranteed.

Dupree wasn’t the only Titan to be placed on the PUP today. Joining him is offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo and running back Jeremy McNichols. Sambrailo is back on a one-year deal after he was the next man up at left tackle when Taylor Lewan went down with a season-ending injury. Sambrailo finished the season on injured reserve as well, and was replaced by David Quessenberry in the starting lineup. If healthy, McNichols will likely be battling for a roster spot with fellow veteran running back Brian Hill.

In addition to these moves, the Titans also placed Caleb Farley and Aaron Brewer on the Non-Football Injury list. As you know, Farley was the team’s first round pick. He suffered a back injury at Virginia Tech that concerned some teams throughout the predraft process. Farley qualifies for the NFI list because it was an injury he suffered in college, not in the pro ranks. Brewer is a second-year player that made the team as an undrafted free agent last season.

The team also announced that defensive tackle Abry Jones will be retiring. Jones played in 105 NFL games with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans signed him back in June. Jones had a decent chance to make the roster and play snaps at the nose tackle position. The Titans will now have to look elsewhere. Younger players such as Teair Tart and Larrell Murchison could benefit from Jones’ retirement.

Players can then be moved off the PUP list to the active roster at any time prior to the start of the regular season, even after one practice. If a player finishes preseason on the PUP list, they can be placed on the regular season PUP list. Players on the PUP list do not count against the 53-man roster, but do count against the 90-man roster limit.

The non-football injury list is for players who suffer an injury not related to NFL football and it keeps them from practicing at the start of training camp. The NFI covers injuries sustained during a player’s final college football season. The rules on when a player on the NFI can get back to the field are the same as for those on the PUP list.

The Titans are scheduled practice for the first time on Wednesday.