A.J. Brown and Julio Jones might miss Week 4 against the New York Jets
The Tennessee Titans (2-1) could be lacking some offensive firepower when they visit New Jersey this weekend.
Could the #Titans be without their top two WRs this Sunday?
WR Julio Jones is getting treatment on a leg injury, and his status vs the #Jets is up in the air, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. AJ Brown also may miss a week or two with a hamstring injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2021
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Pro Bowler A.J. Brown could be out “a week or two” with a hamstring injury sustained during the Titans’ 25-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Rapoport also reports that first-year Titan Julio Jones is being treated for a leg injury that puts his Week 4 status “up in the air.” Jones, acquired from Atlanta in an offseason trade, did not appear in the final quarter of the last win in Nashville.
Tennessee visits MetLife Stadium on Sunday to battle the New York Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS). The two have combined for 296 yards on 19 receptions in the early going.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel offered little clarity when addressing the ailments today.
“We’ll see how we are today at practice,” Vrabel said, per Mike Organ of the Nashville Tennessean. “We’ll see what they can do and go from there. We’ll put out an injury report after we see what they can do.”
If both Jones and Brown are unable to go on Sunday, the Jets (0-3) could be forced to deal with an excess amount of Derrick Henry. The star running back currently leads the NFL in ground yardage (353) and is tied with Jones for the team lead in receptions (12).
Henry has had 72 touches, including 63 rushing attempts, over the last two games, both Tennessee wins, including a career-high 35 carries in a Week 2 victory over Seattle.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh used humor to address the threat that Henry brings.
“Have you guys ever seen him in person? Wait until you guys see this one. He is a massive human being,” Saleh joked with reporters, per notes from the Jets. “(Tennessee has) great conviction in running the football. It looks like it’s simple, but actually gives a lot of issues for the defense.
“When this man gets rolling, he is all of, whatever height he is and size, he looks like an offensive lineman carrying the football. So, he’s a load, he’s deserving of all the accolades he’s gotten and it’s going to be a tremendous challenge this week.”
In terms of reserve receivers, Tennessee would likely call upon Chester Rogers and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for further responsibilities in the event of Brown and Jones’ absence.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
