In a bit of a stunner – maybe more than a bit of a stunner considering the state of the Titans’ offensive line – they have released tackle Jamarco Jones. Until recently, Jones was the leader in the competition to replace starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere for the first six games of the season, while Petit-Frere sits because of a gambling suspension.
The Titans signed Chris Hubbard a week ago to add depth and possibly compete with Jones. Hubbard has emerged as the No. 1 tackle this week, though it was hard to get a read on the competition because Jones has been kicked out of the past two practices that were open to media.
Jones and Jeffery Simmons got into a brief scuffle Tuesday and Mike Vrabel sent both of them to the sand pits for the rest of the practice. On Thursday, Jones was too aggressive and physical with a block on the perimeter, angering several defensive players and prompting Vrabel to toss him again. Vrabel and Jones have known each other going back to when Vrabel helped recruit Jones to Ohio State.
“We don’t want to practice like that,” Vrabel said of the Jones block after practice, but before the Titans announced Jones’ release. “It would be a penalty in the game. … I think you have to just know how to practice. We talk all the time about being competitive and going to that line, and certainly not going to do anything that hurts the team. We don’t want to see that.”
Injuries erased Jones as a potential factor in 2022, but he was expected to be an important depth piece at least this season. Now it’s Hubbard and some unproven young players working to replace Petit-Frere and supply that depth after he returns. And considering the way the offensive line is getting handled by the Titans’ defensive front so far, it’s increasingly looking like more shuffling could be considered.
Rookie left guard Peter Skoronski, for example, could get a shot on the outside. Vrabel left the door open on that possibility, depending on how things went, when camp opened. The Titans have another practice and availability Friday.