The Tennessee Titans just dropped a bomb, releasing defensive lineman Jordan Elliott after he pulled a gun in the team facility parking lot. But get this, head coach Robert Saleh is out here saying it was a “terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act.” This isn’t your typical cut-and-dry player release, not with Saleh speaking out like this.
The Incident That Shook the Titans Facility
So, what went down? The Titans originally announced Elliott’s release on Tuesday, only vaguely stating it was due to an unspecified incident five days prior. But a person briefed on the whole mess spilled the beans to The Associated Press on Wednesday: Elliott had a gun in his car, and he went out to the parking lot to grab it after a dispute with another player. We’re talking about an altercation on the practice field that escalated to a player retrieving a firearm. That’s some serious stuff, and the incident is currently under review. It’s a shocking situation, no doubt.
Saleh’s Defense and Latham’s Take
Coach Robert Saleh isn’t backing down from defending Elliott’s character, even after confirming the gun incident. “Unfortunately, rules are rules with regard to guns on property,” Saleh said, “and sometimes it’s far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they’re down.” He doubled down, calling Elliott a “good man” who “never committed a crime in his entire life.” That’s a strong statement for a guy who just got cut for pulling a gun. Right tackle JC Latham, who was actually involved in the initial practice field altercation with Elliott, also commented, calling it an “unfortunate situation.” Latham made it clear there’d “never been no bad blood between us two” and they’d never even argued before this. It sounds like something snapped, and the team’s grappling with it.
What’s Next for Elliott?
Elliott’s been in the league since 2020, drafted by the Browns in the third round. He spent four seasons in Cleveland, then played two years with Saleh’s 49ers where he started 29 of 31 games. The Titans snagged him this offseason on a two-year, $8 million deal. This season, he’d appeared in five games with one start, logging 11 tackles. Now, his career with the Titans is over before it really even began. Given Saleh’s public stance and the serious nature of the incident, the big question now is what kind of path Elliott has ahead. Will another team take a chance, or will this “terrible lapse in judgment” stick with him? It’s a harsh reminder of how quickly things can change in this league, both on and off the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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