The Tennessee Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott on Tuesday following an “incident” at the team facility last week. The Titans offered no further details in a statement, saying only there was an incident on Thursday, Oct. 15, and that Elliott was no longer part of their team.
Elliott became frustrated with a teammate on the practice field. He was later seen storming out of the locker room and went to his vehicle to grab a firearm, according to A to Z Sports. However, the situation was de-escalated before anything tragic happened. ESPN confirmed this report, saying that Elliott was upset with right tackle JC Latham, and that the firearm never left Elliott’s parking spot. The Metro Nashville Police Department told A to Z Sports that no reports had been filed. Reports indicated fellow defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers helped de-escalate the situation, something that was confirmed by Titans head coach Robert Saleh during his Wednesday press conference.
On Thursday, an NFL spokesman said that the league is investigating the incident, according to ESPN, which noted that if a violation is found while he’s not on a team, Elliott could serve a suspension as a free agent.
Saleh told reporters that Elliott is a good man who has never committed a crime in his life. He gave credit to the Titans organization and the league for “pausing” and asking why a “great man” and “great father” would do something like this? Saleh also said he viewed this as more of a “call for help” than a “criminal act.”
“I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character,” Saleh said. “Unfortunately, rules are rules with regard to guns on property. And sometimes it’s far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they’re down. My message to 31 other teams would be if you need a hell of a run-stopping D-tackle that can help you on a playoff run, give me a call, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s a good man. Had a terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act. It’s unfortunate the way it went down. But as far as Jordan’s concerned and the locker room and all that, I think people see it differently here than the knee-jerk reaction of the world.”
Elliott has played in five games this season with one start, and has recorded 11 tackles. He was inactive this past Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, with Saleh telling reporters Elliott was “dealing with personal stuff.” Elliott had followed Saleh over from the San Francisco 49ers, as he spent the past two seasons out in Santa Clara, making 29 starts in 31 games played.
Elliott’s release is not the only strange occurrence the Titans are dealing with, as the team also made starting cornerback and $58 million free-agent addition Alontae Taylor inactive in Week 6. They didn’t just bench him; they took his uniform away. It was described as a coach’s decision, and Saleh has refused to elaborate on the situation.
“We’ll discuss it as a staff and make a decision that is best for the team moving forward,” Saleh told reporters on Monday.
The Titans return home this week to host the 4-2 Cleveland Browns, who currently lead the AFC North.
