It is mid-January, and while a good chunk of the NFL is preparing for the divisional round of the playoffs, the lights are mostly off at Saint Thomas Sports Park. For the Tennessee Titans, the 2025-2026 campaign didn't just end with a whimper; it ended in the trainer's room. If you’ve been following the injury report Tennessee Titans fans have had to stomach lately, you know it reads more like a surgical ward schedule than a football roster.
The team finished 3-14. That hurts. But honestly, when you look at who was actually on the field by Week 18 against the Jaguars, it’s a miracle they even kept it competitive for a half. We aren't just talking about a few "questionable" tags here and there. This was a systematic dismantling of the depth chart by the injury gods.
The Cam Ward and Will Levis Situation
The quarterback room is basically the epicenter of the chaos. Will Levis was supposed to be the guy, but he opted for season-ending shoulder surgery way back in July. Then came Cam Ward. The rookie was a bright spot, the kind of player who makes you think the rebuild might actually work.
But as of January 14, 2026, the latest update on Ward is concerning. He’s currently dealing with a shoulder issue—specifically an AC joint injury—that has him listed as "questionable" for the start of training camp. Think about that. We are months away from camp, and he's already a question mark. It’s the same story for James Williams, another young pillar.
💡 You might also like: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
Secondary to None (In Injuries)
If you think the offense had it rough, look at the secondary. It was a revolving door. By mid-December, the Titans had to place three safeties on Injured Reserve in a single day:
- Xavier Woods (Hamstring)
- Kevin Winston Jr. (Hamstring)
- Mike Brown (Ankle)
You can't play winning football when your entire deep middle is composed of guys who were on a practice squad in another time zone 48 hours prior. L'Jarius Sneed, the big-money trade acquisition, was a "disaster" in the words of many local analysts, mostly because he couldn't stay on the turf. Between his quad issues and other various ailments, he ended the year on IR, leaving an $8.1 million dead-money headache for the front office.
The Trenches Took a Beating
It wasn't just the flashy skill positions. The "big uglies" upfront were dropping like flies. Kevin Zeitler, the veteran presence on the offensive line, finished the year with a quad injury. Corey Levin is dealing with a torn biceps.
📖 Related: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
Even the defense's heart, Jeffery Simmons, had to fight through a hamstring that cost him a significant chunk of the mid-season. He still managed a career-high 9 sacks, which is frankly ridiculous considering he was often the only person on the line that opposing coordinators had to double-team.
Recent IR Additions and Status Updates
As we head into the 2026 offseason, here is who is currently sidelined or rehabbing major stuff:
- Jalyn Armour-Davis: Out with an Achilles (Jan 3). That’s a long road back.
- Van Jefferson: Forearm injury ended his season on Jan 3.
- Oluwafemi Oladejo: The rookie edge rusher with the fractured leg. He’s been rehabbing since October but was seen practicing in a limited capacity late in the year.
- Calvin Ridley: A broken right fibula in November. He’s one of the biggest question marks for the new coaching staff.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Titans' Health
The common narrative is that the Titans are just "unlucky." While there is some truth to that, you’ve got to look at the roster construction. When you rely on older veterans like Zeitler or injury-prone gambles like Sneed, you’re playing with fire.
👉 See also: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
General Manager Mike Borgonzi inherited a lot of this, but the 2026 offseason has to be about durability. They have over $100 million in cap space. That sounds great, right? But if they spend it on players with a "history," we’ll be right back here next January looking at another injury report Tennessee Titans fans have to memorize.
Why This Matters for the New Head Coach
The Titans are currently hunting for Brian Callahan’s successor. Whoever takes this job isn't just inheriting a 3-14 team; they're inheriting a medical chart. The next staff needs to overhaul the strength and conditioning approach. You can't have six different defensive backs go down with soft-tissue injuries (hamstrings/groins) in a two-month span and call it "bad luck." That’s a protocol issue.
The silver lining? Guys like Femi Oladejo and Tyjae Spears (who had his own ankle scares) are young enough to bounce back fully. If Cam Ward's shoulder heals correctly, the foundation is there. But the margin for error is zero.
Actionable Next Steps for Titans Followers
- Monitor the Scouting Combine: Pay less attention to 40-yard dash times and more to the medical checks. The Titans cannot afford "project" players with medical red flags this year.
- Watch the Cap Casualties: Expect the team to move on from Sneed. Saving $12 million is worth the dead money hit if it means bringing in someone who can actually play 17 games.
- Check Training Camp Statuses in July: The "Questionable for Camp" tags on Cam Ward and Kevin Zeitler are the most important things to track. If they aren't ready by Day 1, the 2026 season is already in jeopardy.
The 2025 season was a painful lesson in NFL attrition. For the Titans to turn it around, they don't just need better players—they need players who can stay out of the blue medical tent.