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Hot Topics from Titans Coach Mike Vrabel's Monday Presser

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NASHVILLE – Titans coach Mike Vrabel held a video conference call on Monday, one day after the team's 41-35 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Next up for the Titans is a game against the Jaguars on Sunday in Jacksonville.

Here's a look at some of the hot topics from today's call:

Slow start

The Titans fell behind 38-7 by halftime on Sunday, in large part because the defense couldn't get any stops.

The Browns scored on their first six possessions, including five touchdowns.

But Tennessee's offense didn't help out a lot early. The Titans turned the ball over on downs after getting stopped on a Derrick Henry 4th and 1 run, lost two fumbles, and punted twice in the first half.

"It's about the efficiency, and staying out of third and long," Vrabel said. "It comes down to the efficiency and everybody functioning early on in the series so we can start moving and have our entire playbook. There's a noticeable difference when we do that, and when we don't."

Updates on Darrynton Evans, Kristian Fulton

Running back Darrynton Evans, who was added to the 'Designated for Return list last month, wrapped up his third week of practice last week. This designation opened up a 21-day window for Evans to practice with the team without counting against the team's 53-man roster until being activated from Injured Reserve.

The Titans had to make a decision on Evans today, and he's officially been activated.

Fulton, who is also on the 'Designated for Return' list, is also working his way back.

Vrabel was asked if the team might play Fulton more on the outside in coverage when he returns, since the team acquired defensive back Desmond King to play inside.

"That's something that we'd have to look at, and we will look at when we feel like he is able to go," Vrabel said of Fulton. "This week will be big for him. He has been able to practice, and I'd say has gotten healthier, gotten closer. I am not ready to say that he is going to be back, but he will be practicing and doing more than what he did last week as we work to get him on the practice field on Wednesday."

"Don't Do Dumb Sh*t"

Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans was flagged for two 15-yard penalties on Sunday, and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons got one as well.

Vrabel made it clear he doesn't tolerate penalties when players lose their composure.

"The message is, 'don't do dumb sh*t to hurt the team," Vrabel said. "And I don't use that lightly. That's the joke that we have, and I apologize for my language but that's what I tell them all the time about penalties. … At the end of the day, we can't do dumb stuff that hurts the team. And I think those players that were involved in that would tell you that that is hurting the football team."

"It's concerning when we do things to hurt the team," Vrabel added. "Penalties are a part of this game, and they are going to happen. But I do think that some of them are avoidable, and we just have to not do things that are going to hurt the football team."

Isaiah Wilson

Tackle Isaiah Wilson was placed on Reserve/Suspended by the club for the game vs Cleveland for violating club rules.

The team's first round pick in the 2020 draft has played in just one game this season for the Titans.

Vrabel said the Titans will continue to work with Wilson, and the organization will continue to support him.

On Monday, the Titans activated Wilson from the team's Reserve/Suspended list, so he's officially back on the active roster.

"We are going to continue to work and support Isaiah – that is our job," Vrabel said. "We have brought him into this family, and we have expectations for everybody that is associated with it. And we'll continue to coach him, to teach him and support him, but hold him to a standard that we hold everybody else to.

"Love isn't always about hugs and kisses. It's about holding them accountable and trying to make sure they are doing things that will help him and in turn help the team. I know that (GM) Jon (Robinson) and myself and the organization is committed to trying to help Isaiah, and we'll see where he is this week after the suspension."

What's Up With Adoree?

Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson still hasn't played this season.

Jackson has been inactive in recent weeks after spending the first part of the season on Injured Reserve.

So, do the Titans expect to get him back this season?

"I operate on the assumption that I have to focus on today, I have to focus on meeting with the trainers, meeting with the coaches, communicating with some of our players," Vrabel said, "and begin on Jacksonville. That is what I am focused on, and not whether Adoree' is going to be there.

"He was in here for treatments and met with (the trainers and conditioning staff) and we'll see where he's at on Wednesday."

Next up: Jaguars

The Titans beat the Jaguars back in Week 2, but it wasn't easy.

The Titans won it 33-30, and the Jaguars (1-11) have lost every game since.

But Jacksonville has lost a lot of close games, most recently 27-24 in OT at Minnesota. The week before that the Jaguars lost 27-25 to the Browns, and the Jaguars have recently lost close games to the Packers (24-20) and Texans (27-25).

"It's the same challenge that it is every week – it's a new opponent," Vrabel said. "They'll probably look a little different than the last time we played them. I know it sounds like a broken record, but if you don't play good in this league, you're going to lose. And by playing good, it doesn't guarantee you're going to win, but it gives you a chance.

"So we are just going to have to get the corrections made, get healthy as fast as possible, and begin to prepare for what I know is a physical divisional game."

The Tennessee Titans take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 13 at Nissan Stadium.

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