The Tennessee Titans will host the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Nashville, where they will look to kick off the Robert Saleh era with a bang in the stadium's farewell tour. However, it remains unclear exactly how many of the new faces will take the field.
One of those new faces who could make an impact is recently acquired cornerback Jaylon Jones. The veteran corner was signed mid-week after being released by the Indianapolis Colts and came in ready to roll.
Tennessee will enter the game surprisingly healthy, with linebacker Cedric Gray, who remains in concussion protocol, the only player listed on the final injury report, and with this being the first game of a new era, it is hard to tell what the game-day makeup will look
like.
Special teams experience is valuable
Jones not only has a good shot at playing in this one, but could also play a pivotal role. A physical defensive back, Jones also brings experience on special teams and will likely enter the mix as one of the Titans’ gunners on punt coverage; a role that was still being decided during Friday’s practice. Special teams coordinator John “Bones” Fassel mentioned Jones as being in the mix with fellow defensive back Micah Robinson and wide receiver Elic Ayomanor.
Will Jones play against the Jets?
One reason that Jones could see the field early in his Titans tenure is his familiarity with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and the system. Jones was drafted by the Colts during Bradley’s stint as defensive coordinator and played some of his best football under his guidance. Because of that connection, he already knows the system, which should help him carve out a role early in his tenure.
"Just (try) to get up to speed pretty quick," Jones said. "I've been in this defense before, so I'm ready to get to work."
With cornerback being a question mark throughout the preseason, seeing him get some early playing time wouldn’t be a shock.
Who would replace Jones in the lineup?
If Saleh and Bradley don’t believe Jones is ready, they will likely turn to defensive back Erick Hallett to take on a larger depth role. Hallett originally made the Titans' 53-man roster coming out of training camp, but was released in a flurry of moves and quickly signed with the practice squad.
On Saturday, Tennessee used a standard elevation for Hallett to be active against the Jets, making it likely that someone in the secondary sits this one out. Will that be Jones? Only time will tell.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Will Tennessee Titans DB Jaylon Jones play vs. New York Jets?
