Titans release S Bradley McDougald and DT Anthony Rush

The Tennessee Titans made a pair of surprising moves on Tuesday afternoon when they released safety Bradley McDougald and defensive tackle Anthony Rush.

Starting with McDougald, his week represents the rollercoaster that is the NFL. McDougald started at safety against the Seahawks on Sunday, and has now been released. From starting player to unemployed in the matter of three days. McDougald played 39 defensive snaps on Sunday and had a poor outing. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Dane Cruikshank in the second half, who totaled 34 snaps. Cruikshank is a better player and will start next to Kevin Byard as Amani Hooker continues to heal on injured reserve. But to flat out release McDougald is a bit of a minor surprise, seeing as his playing experience could serve as depth and insurance in Hooker’s absence. The Titans will now turn to Matthias Farley as their third safety. Don’t rule out a signing here, or the promotion of Jamal Carter or Briean Boddy-Calhoun from the practice squad to the active roster.

Turning our attention to Rush, the 350-pound defensive lineman was active against Seattle, but played just one snap. His release leaves the Titans a bit thin on the D-line, with just four players now on the active 53 (Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart and Larrell Murchison). I would expect a like-for-like replacement here. The Titans currently have three capable defensive lineman on the practice squad in the form of Amani Bledsoe, Woodrow Hamilton IV and Naquan Jones. Bledsoe has spent time on the Titans’ roster in the past, and both Hamilton and Jones played with the team throughout the preseason.

As always, stay tuned to MCM for updates.