Titans Out Two Starters vs Vikings

L'Jarius Sneed, Tennessee Titans
Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season is upon us and the Minnesota Vikings have an incredible opportunity to move to 8-2, vs a two-win Tennessee Titans team. If they can get the job done, the purple would be in a position, with seven games left to play, that would make a playoff spot feel inevitable.

Tennessee Titans missing two starters vs the Minnesota Vikings

Want more good news? On one side, the Vikings’ 53-man roster is healthier than it has been all season. The same cannot be said for the Titans, who are entering this game banged up. And unfortunately for fans in Tennessee, the injury situation didn’t get any better on Friday, when head coach Brian Callahan told reporters that starting OT LeRoy Watson (back) and “star” CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad) will not be able to play on Sunday.

Tennessee is dealing with a lot of injuries, but they are especially banged up in the secondary. Defensive back, Justin Hardee (groin), is also on Friday’s injury report as “Questionable”. CB Roger McCreary is a full go, but he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday with a knee injury.

Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 11 Matchup vs Titans

How much will the Tennessee Titans miss all of their injured players? Well, missing your starting right tackle can’t be a good thing, and losing a superstar cornerback has to hurt. But if you look at the statistics and PFF grades of each player, you might wonder.

Will Titans miss their starters that much?

Leroy Watson only has four career starts in the NFL and they have all come in the last four weeks. So, the 2022 undrafted free agent’s 5 false starts, 7 total penalties, and 50.3 PFF grade isn’t a huge surprise. CB L’Jarius Sneed, on the other hand, has seen a mysterious drop in production, during his first season with the Titans.

The 27-year-old has given up 11.9 yards per reception. Most alarming, for those who put any stock in Pro Football Focus, is his drop in PFF grade this season. Sneed’s 36.3 defensive grade and 36.8 coverage grade are half of what they were his last two seasons in Kansas City, where he gained reputation as one of the best corners in football.

Report: JJ McCarthy Injury Setback is More Concerning Than Vikings are Leading On

Sneed’s week on the injured list coincides with an Instagram post, from Tuesday, where he seemed to suggest he is unhappy with the Titans, and misses playing for the Chiefs, who are 9-0 on the season.

In other words, the Titans will miss their injured starters, just like any team would. But Tennessee has been bad all year, no matter who they have put on the field. That is why they are 2-7. If the Minnesota Vikings want to be a serious NFC contender, they will destroy the Titans on Sunday.

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