Brutal setback could be end of the line for former Titans first-round pick

The play was a distillation of Burks' pro career thus far, one that could be special if not beset by injuries.

Burks has only appeared in 27 of a possible 51 career regular-season games.

During his rookie season, Burks missed Weeks 5-9 with a foot/toe injury. He also suffered a concussion against the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing him to miss two additional games.

In 2023, he was sidelined by a knee injury from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15, followed by another three-game absence the next month after he was carted off with a head injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Last season, Burks was limited to five games after tearing his ACL during practice.

He appeared to be in prime form on his spectacular grab during the play he was injured, showing off his tantalizing potential (and no lingering effects from his knee injury) by laying out to make the catch.

But as has been the case throughout Burks' career, his giant step forward was met with two backward strides.

In May, the Titans declined to pick up Burks' fifth-year rookie option, which would have paid him a projected $15.493 million in 2026, per Over The Cap.

Over his first three seasons, Burks has 53 receptions, 699 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Tennessee invested heavily in improving its wide receiver depth this offseason, insulating it from the effects of Burks' most recent injury.

During free agency, the Titans added Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson. They selected Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft while also signing Ward's college teammate, Xavier Restrepo, as an undrafted free agent.

Burks' path to playing time was already challenged by the offseason moves, but his broken clavicle could knock him out of the rotation for good.

If Burks is ever going to live up to his draft status, it's become increasingly more likely it won't be in Tennessee.