The Tennessee Titans held their final practice on Friday ahead of Sunday's Week 1 showdown against the Chicago Bears. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins practiced in a limited capacity for the third consecutive session and is officially labeled as questionable. Elsewhere, veteran safety Jamal Adams and inside linebacker Otis Reese IV were ruled OUT after missing every practice this week.
Hopkins suffered a multi-week knee injury in late July that now's been revealed to be an MCL tear, according to first reports from Paul Kuharsky. The initial timeline was four-to-six weeks. ESPN's Turron Davenport noted that Hopkins wasn't wearing a protective left sleeve on his leg, which he wore during Wednesday's and Thursday's practice. Perhaps it's a good indication.
Head coach Brian Callahan discussed Hopkins' rehab process while claiming there's no fear of further injury. Hopkins' status for Week 1 appears truly questionable.
The Titans aren't expected to elevate Mason Kinsey or Bryce Oliver from the practice squad. If Hopkins can't play, Treylon Burks will receive the majority of his snaps as Tennessee's "X" receiver. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine offers an alternative option at that position.
The Titans admitted that Adams' hip injury is more serious than initially thought and he'll officially be sidelined for Sunday. The three-time Pro Bowler missed the majority of training camp practices with what the Titans called "general soreness." Those terms were upgraded to "hip injury" on Wednesday's injury report. It's a concerning start to Adams' tenure in Tennessee considering how often he's been injured in recent years.
It'll also have an impact on how defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson calls the defense this Sunday. Three-safety looks may be off the table altogether considering Adams would've been the first option to be that third safety alongside starters Amani Hooker and Quandre Diggs. Mike Brown, who the Titans liked enough to retain on the 53 man roster, will be third-choice safety in Adams' place.
Starting cornerback Chido Awuzie popped up on Friday's injury report as a "limited" participant with a calf injury, one that caused him to miss the entire preseason. Kuharsky has since clarified that the Titans were simply resting Awuzie after he returned to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Per league rules, listing him on the injury report is mandatory since he wasn't a full participant.
Reese is still dealing with a concussion that he suffered during the preseason. Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens are the likely starters at off-ball linebacker. Ernest Jones IV, who was acquired via trade last week, will probably play a rotational role as he continues getting familiar with Wilson's defense.
