The Tennessee Titans rode Derrick Henry to a 6-2 record and a commanding lead in the AFC South. But the devastating injury news could put the team in a desperate spot with the NFL trade deadline approaching on Tuesday.
While Tennessee awaits further clarity from Henry’s MRI and scans, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports the fear is the best running back in the NFL suffered a broken fifth metatarsal. If that’s the case, he would likely be sidelined for at least eight weeks and potentially might not return until the 2022 season.
With Henry sidelined indefinitely, we’ll examine three trade options that could help provide some stability for the Titans’ offense.
Ronald Jones traded to Tennessee Titans
The Titans have less than 48 hours to make something happen, so general manager Jon Robinson will need to act quickly. Among all the running backs who could be available at the trade deadline, Ronald Jones is likely Tennessee’s best option.
A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jones’ snap count in Tampa Bay is sinking rapidly. He saw a season-high 25 snaps in Week 2 but has seen the field on a combined 37 snaps in the past three games. With the Buccaneers making Leonard Fournette their featured back, a trade is possible.
Jones played well during the 2020 season, accounting for 1,143 scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns in 14 games. While he fumbled twice and lost Tom Brady‘s trust in passing situations he could be a nice fit for Tennessee. If the Bucs are willing to move him, a deal could happen quickly since Robinson and GM Jason Licht have a positive history. Relationships matter in the NFL and Jones would be the player who offers the most upside for the Titans via trade.
Ty’Son Williams gets new opportunity
For weeks, the Baltimore Ravens have made it known they are open to discussions about their running backs. With Ty’Son Williams falling behind Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell on the depth chart, the former undrafted free agent is another trade option for Tennessee.
- Ty’Son Williams stats: 33 carries, 180 rushing yards, 5.5 ypc, 84 receiving yards on nine catches
In his first two games, Williams turned 22 carries into 142 rushing yards and tacked on another 45 yards as a weapon out of the backfield. During his individual Pro Day in 2020, the 6-foot running back posted a 4.48 40-yard dash time and a strong three-cone drill time (6.81 seconds). He’s not one of the most popular candidates, but he could be an underrated target for the Titans. A change of scenery and a bigger role might unlock something unexpected.
Titans acquire Phillip Lindsay
When the Houston Texans traded Mark Ingram, many thought it would open the door for Phillip Lindsay to play a bigger role. But Lindsay only played eight snaps Sunday, giving him 15 in the past two weeks. Since the Texans are rebuilding, trading him to a divisional opponent for a draft pick should be the move.
- Tennessee Titans stats: 47.36% rush play rate (4th), 37.3% rushing first down rate, 4.5 yards per carry (11th)
While Lindsay is a few years removed from that breakout rookie season in 2018 when he rushed for 1,037 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry, he is still a solid running back. He averaged 4.4 ypc in his final two seasons with the Denver Broncos, racking up 1,513 rushing yards on 342 touches. He wouldn’t cost more than a late Day 3 pick, making him an appealing value target for the Titans.