JC Latham landed on the Physically Unable to Perform list right as Titans training camp officially kicks off this week, and if you’re a fan in Nashville, you’ve gotta be pulling your hair out. Veterans report Tuesday, first practice Wednesday, and Saturday is the first open session. But the immediate buzz isn’t about the gridiron action; it’s about the team’s ongoing tackle nightmare. Latham’s PUP status has already set off a chain reaction among a fanbase worried about him having another inconsistent season.
The PUP List Nightmare
Seriously, Latham on PUP? That’s just piling onto an already huge issue for the Titans, who desperately need reliable bodies on the offensive line. They tried to do *something* by signing offensive tackle Zachary Thomas and waiving tackle Ryan Hayes, who was with them through minicamp and OTAs. But let’s be real, this move doesn’t even begin to solve their actual roster problem. It just feels like a band-aid on a gaping wound.
Who Even IS Zachary Thomas?
So, who is Zachary Thomas? He was a sixth-round pick back in the 2022 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. And get this: he’s already a journeyman, having bounced around with six different NFL teams. The guy’s appeared in just 17 career games, with his last meaningful snaps coming in 2024 as a reserve for the Patriots and Texans. He played roughly 100 snaps that year, and Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing two sacks and four pressures. Yeah, not exactly a ringing endorsement. There’s nothing here to suggest the Titans see Thomas as anything more than a camp body. He just hasn’t proven to be an NFL-caliber offensive tackle.
Still Desperate For a Swing Tackle
The cold, hard truth is the Titans still desperately need a swing tackle. With Latham sidelined, even temporarily, the depth behind him is just scary. There’s no way they can have faith in sophomore undrafted free agent Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson being their No. 3 tackle this season. And if they’re leaning on veteran Austin Deculus, who played extremely poorly in a similar role with the Los Angeles Chargers last season, then this offense is in serious trouble. Based on his history, trusting Deculus not to sink the offense if he has to play meaningful snaps is just asking for disaster. They signed a tackle, but they still badly need one.
As the Titans ramp up for their first open practice on Saturday, the big question remains: who’s going to step up if Latham isn’t ready, or even if he is and struggles? They need a swing tackle, and they needed one yesterday. This problem is not going away, and it’s going to define how this early part of the season plays out for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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