NASHVILLE -- According to a report from Paul Kuharsky, Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is set to have shoulder surgery and it now “seems unlikely he will be back” in 2023.
Petit-Frere exited Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half before a failed attempt to tough out the injury and return.
NPF going down is a huge blow for the Titans who already have a weak offensive line, and there could be more coming.
When head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to Titans media on Friday, he hinted at injury news coming out that would impact the depth chart. Vrabel mentioned that the coaching staff would have conversations over the weekend about the depth chart to account for various moving pieces and injury situations.
"To be able to go through the moving parts of not only Ryan's (Tannehill) health, but whatever there (is) going on the offensive line, which there is coming out of that game, which there would be in the defensive secondary," said Vrabel on Friday afternoon. "There'll probably be some moving parts here over the weekend."
So Vrabel mentioned moving parts on the offensive line. Nicholas Petit-Frere’s injury being severe certainly explains that. But could something else be coming in the secondary?
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting missed Thursday’s game with a thumb injury. He was a full participant in practice leading up to Thursday’s game, but was pulled from the game early on and did not return. When asked if SMB reaggravated the thumb injury or just decided he couldn’t play with it, Vrabel said it was “probably both.”
If Vrabel’s press conference comments are any indication, I’d keep my eye on the situation with Murphy-Bunting and the rest of the secondary throughout this week.
The Titans are 3-5, sitting in last place in the AFC South, and now the injuries are starting to pile up. Things could be going better.
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