Cam Ward needed a strong showing in Cincinnati before the Tennessee Titans’ bye. He may have to find one without Carnell Tate, his leading receiver.
Robert Saleh said Friday that Tate (shoulder) won’t practice and is doubtful to play against the Bengals, according to NFL.com. Running back Tyjae Spears (knee) and punter Tommy Townsend (left knee) are also doubtful after sitting out every practice this week. A to Z Sports’ Buck Reising relayed the Tate news from Saleh’s Friday availability.
Doubtful rarely ends with a player suiting up. Tennessee should plan for Sunday without all three.
Who catches passes without Carnell Tate?
Tate has been the passing game as a rookie. He leads the Titans with 34 catches for 413 yards on 51 targets, a start we compared to Ja’Marr Chase’s first seven games this week. He hasn’t practiced since the 27-24 loss to the Browns, and the team’s report had him out Wednesday and Thursday.
Wan’Dale Robinson (29 catches, 205 yards, two touchdowns) becomes Ward’s most reliable target. Elic Ayomanor played 56 snaps against Cleveland, the same as Tate, and has 177 yards on 10 catches. Calvin Ridley (hip) was limited Wednesday and Thursday, and he has just five catches in six games.
Spears’ absence puts more on Tony Pollard, who has 478 rushing yards and four touchdowns and was floated as a trade candidate earlier this week. Spears has 66 yards on 18 carries and 15 catches, so the hit lands mostly in passing situations, where Michael Carter is next in line.
None of it makes Cincinnati easier. Joe Burrow has 15 touchdown passes, and his run is a threat to the Titans’ best defensive stat. Tennessee is also playing its first game since trading Jeffery Simmons to the Bears, which already had folks around Nashville bracing for a long afternoon.
There is one upside in the timing. The Titans are off in Week 9, so if Tate and Spears sit Sunday, both get two more weeks to heal before Tennessee plays again.
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