It is no secret that the Tennessee Titans are in injury hell, especially at the linebacker spot where both starters, David Long and Zach Cunningham, have been unavailable at times this season.
One of those times was much of the game on Sunday against the Houston Texans. Cunningham returned in this game, but managed to only make it through a few drives before re-injuring his elbow.
Enter: Jack Gibbens, or as head coach Mike Vrabel playfully calls him, “Dr. Gibby.”
Gibbens is an undrafted free-agent rookie who was never supposed to be a starting player for the Titans, but here we are. He played pretty well against the Texans after he came in for Cunningham.
Gibbens registered the highest defensive grade in Week 16 with an 81.4, per Pro Football Focus. In the box score, he put up eight tackles and an interception.
Gibbens had some down moments, especially in run defense, but had a solid day overall. As always, let’s dive into the film to see how he did it…
Play No. 1
Gibbens does a good job here of flying forward and meeting the tight end (No. 9) in the hole.
He gets his hands in the chest of the blocker so he has control and doesn’t give any ground. He disengages the block and makes a tackle with some help from his teammates.
Play No. 2
Similar ask here for Gibbens.
Texans run to his gap, so Gibby flies up and fills hard. This forces the running back to bounce the other direction. Teair Tart throws his blocker off and makes a nice play.
The highlight here is Tart, but Gibbens makes it possible with an aggressive gap fill.
Play No. 3
The biggest play of the day for Gibbens, but could also be the biggest play of his football career.
Titans are in zone coverage here and Gibbens is the middle-hook defender. He takes away the middle field receiver and Texans QB Davis Mills goes to the outside hook route.
A GREAT play by Tre Avery, another rookie getting chances due to injury, to knock the pass up in the air. Gibbens instinctively tracks the pass, and once it is batted up he is able to get under it for the pick.
The real play here is made by Avery, but great job by Jack to run to the ball and make a play when it is there. We saw Cunningham drop a pick, so catching it is commended.
Play No. 4
Gibbens again comes downhill to fill his gap, but once he sees the back bounce out, he follows. Great play by Autry here, but Gibbens is there to help as well.
Filling his gap hard is what bounces the RB outside, so, not flashy, but a nice play by the young rookie.
Play No. 5
Gibbens is never going to excel in man coverage because he simply isn’t a gifted enough athlete. He will have to win those assignments by being smart and getting to spots before the faster player does.
Gibbens is in man on the back here and he takes a great straight angle to make sure he can get the back down before the end zone. This tackle saved a touchdown and forced a field goal; well done.
Play No. 6
Gibbens does a nice job here of flowing with the play. Once he meets an offensive lineman, he is able to get through the block and still make the tackle.
One thing the Titans struggle with at linebacker — healthy or not — is getting off blocks once engaged. So, to see a guy like Gibby able to do so is a nice change up.
Smart, quick and tough play here.
In closing...
Jack Gibbens is never going to be an All-Pro linebacker, but this opportunity to play should result in more reps in 2023, and a few extra years of his NFL career.
He was a bright spot for the Titans in Week 16, and if kept in the correct role the next few years, he can be a positive contributor to the team as a depth linebacker.
