NASHVILLE – Kicker Greg Joseph was enjoying his off day with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday when he got the call from his agent.
"He said, 'Hey, do you know why I am calling?'," Joseph said in the Titans locker room on Wednesday. "I was like, 'I guess I am headed out of Carolina?' And he was like, yeah, you're headed to Tennessee."
By Wednesday, Joseph was in Nashville. The Titans signed Joseph to the team's 53-man roster while placing veteran Ryan Succop on Injured Reserve, ending his 2019 season.
Joseph, who had been on the practice squad of the Panthers, played in 14 games with the Cleveland Browns last season and he hit 17-of-20 field goal attempts, including 11 for 11 inside of 40 yards and one from plus-50 yards. He also hit 25-of-29 extra point attempts and had 47 touchbacks on 69 kickoffs.
Joseph was on the practice field at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Wednesday with his new teammates.
"Actually, it's my first time in Nashville, so I am excited about that," Joseph said. "I believe everything happens for a reason, I really do believe that.
"I am just here to be me. I am an outgoing guy, and I am learning everything I can so far from (snapper) Beau (Brinkley) and (punter) Brett (Kern). I am not here to assert my dominance or anything. I am here to be Greg Joseph."
The Titans need Joseph to make field goals, while also being productive on kickoffs.
Succop finished the season 1-of-6 on his field goal attempts, and he had a kick blocked in the team's game against the Texans on Sunday. On the season, the Titans are just 8-of-18 on field goal attempts. Cairo Santos and Cody Parkey also kicked for the Titans earlier this season.
Succop handled field goals and extra points for the Titans since being activated from Injured Reserve before the team's November 3 contest against the Panthers. The Titans waived kicker Ryan Santoso, who handled kickoffs for the team in games against the Raiders, Colts and Texans, on Tuesday.
The 6-foot, 210-pound Joseph, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, initially signed as an undrafted free agent with Miami (5/11/18), but was waived by the Dolphins on 9/1/18. He signed as a free agent with Cleveland a few weeks later before eventually being waived by Cleveland this past August. He was signed to Carolina's practice squad on 11/25/19.
In college, Joseph spent four seasons at Florida Atlantic, and he finished his career hitting 165-of-170 extra point attempts (97.1 percent) and 57-of-82 field goal attempts (69.5 percent). He attended American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Florida.
When asked about his field goal distance and the strength of his leg, Joseph didn't make any bold predictions.
But he said he's confident he can get the job done.
"Whatever coach needs me to is always going to be my answer," he said. "I have faith in my ability and my leg strength. … I am always going to be confident in my ability. … (My mindset) is put your head down and work."
The Tennessee Titans practice on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Donald Page)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Linebacker Jayon Brown #55 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Assistant Athletic Trainer Jon Takahashi during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Linebacker Jayon Brown #55 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Offensive lineman David Quessenberry #72 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Tackle Jack Conklin #78 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Cornerback Tramaine Brock #35 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Punter Brett Kern #6 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Kicker Greg Joseph #7 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Kicker Greg Joseph #7 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Kicker Greg Joseph #7 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Longsnapper Beau Brinkley #48 of the the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Outside linebacker Harold Landry III #58 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Defensive lineman Austin Johnson #94 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans and Safety Kenny Vaccaro #24 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Defensive back Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Defensive back Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans and Safety Kenny Vaccaro #24 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 18, 2019 - Defensive back Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during practice in the bubble at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
