NASHVILLE – Titans Coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Tuesday, one day after the team traded safety Kevin Byard to the Eagles.
The Titans return to action on Sunday at Nissan Stadum against the Atlanta Falcons.
A bulk of today's presser centered on the trade, but there were a lot of other nuggets dropped in the 20-plus minute press conference as well.
Vrabel led off the presser with an opening remark on Byard, and why the team traded him.
"I can't thank Kevin enough for the personal relationship, and what he has meant to this organization, on the field, off the field," Vrabel said. "These things are never easy, but hopefully if you handle them with class and integrity and respect, honesty, hopefully it works out for everybody."
Here's the full clip of Vrabel's opening remarks below:
-Vrabel gave an update on the quarterback position, and Ryan Tannehill. He indicated the plan is to play both back-up quarterbacks – Malik Willis and Will Levis – against the Falcons if Tannehill is unable to go.
I wrote a separate story on that: CLICK HERE.
-Vrabel was asked if the team is "open for business" after trading Byard, raising the question on whether other Titans could be traded before next Tuesday's NFL trading deadline. "Ran (Carthon) and I will always look for opportunities to strengthen the roster, and the growth of it," Vrabel said, "and the ability to add pieces or draft capital or whatever. We'll always listen to anything that someone might have to say. I don't know that anything is imminent. A lot of people talk at this time of year, before the draft and before the trade deadline."
-The Titans acquired safety Terrell Edmunds and two draft picks in exchange for Byard.
Edmunds, a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft, played from 2018-2022 with the Steelers before joining the Eagles this offseason.
Edmunds has 410 career tackles and five interceptions in six NFL seasons. Edmunds has played in seven games for the Eagles in 2023, with two starts, and he's been credited with 28 tackles.
"In the games I was able to watch," Vrabel said of Edmunds, "I thought he was active, I thought he still ran well. I am excited to see his versatility. I thought he tackled well. … He showed up with a great attitude when I saw him this morning."
-Vrabel said Nicholas Petit-Frere will work with the starters at left tackle in today's practice. Petit-Frere replaced Andre Dillard in the team's last game, vs the Ravens.
"Nick will be out there today with the 1s," Vrabel said. "Andre needs to prepare as the starter and be ready to play both sides, and when he gets another opportunity, take advantage of it."
-Vrabel said receiver Treylon Burks, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, practiced in full last week and he is expected to practice again today.
-Vrabel said rookie Peter Skoronski will remain at left guard.
"We think that's going to be a really good position for him," Vrabel said.
-Vrabel said the plan is to try "as many guys as we can look at this week" at punt returner, after Kyle Philips muffed a punt against the Ravens. "We'll see where we are on Sunday with the punt returner," Vrabel said, "and some other options at other places."
-Vrabel said he expects defensive lineman Teair Tart and defensive back Elijah Molden to practice today as well.
