Tennessee Titans 2021 fourth-round pick and outside linebacker Rashad Weaver is one of the players the team needs to step up now that fellow outside linebacker Harold Landry is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Weaver’s 2021 campaign was cut short due to his own injury, but the Pitt product is fully healthy going into 2022, as evidenced by how dominant he looked during the preseason.
Upon learning of Landry’s injury, Weaver’s first concern was reaching out to the Pro Bowl outside linebacker to make sure he was OK. After that, the second-year pro knew this could be a big opportunity for him.
“When I first heard about [Landry’s injury], the first thing I wanted to do was go check on him, make sure he’s OK and that he’s headed in the right place mentally because that’s a blow for everyone, including him,” Weaver said, according to John Glennon of Sports Illustrated. “And then for myself, I knew it was opportunity.
“There’s a huge opening when a Pro Bowler goes down for the season, and they’ll be looking for guys in our room to fill those reps at a high level,” he continued. “Not just out there being a body, but making plays and doing what’s needed of them.”
While Weaver figures to be a big part of the solution, he won’t be the only one helping to fill the void.
Defensive lineman Denico Autry, who was listed as the starter at outside linebacker on the team’s first depth chart, and DeMarcus Walker can also push outside, and the Titans have Ola Adeniyi on the roster and 2022 undrafted free agent David Anenih on the practice squad.
Another major aspect of Landry’s game that will be missed is his ability to drop into coverage, something Weaver doesn’t figure to excel at.
“Every player is different,” Weaver said. “Everyone has their own skill set. Everyone knows that. You can look at me and [Landry] and tell from our size and from where he played, how much he drops [in coverage] compared to how much I drop, things like that. We’re just different players.
“But the goal is to fill in that spot, and whether it’s me or Ola or whoever, filling that spot at the same level and being able to do it with your own attributes and skill set, and help this team achieve what it needs to be.”
As head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged, Weaver’s impressive offseason had already garnered him a role with this team. With Landry out, Weaver should be even more involved, but exactly how much more remains to be seen.
