NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Don't ask Titans rookie Cody Riggs about his size – he doesn't want to hear it.
Sure, at 5-9, 187 pounds, he might be undersized. But that's not an issue, the feisty cornerback said. Riggs is going to play his game, and he's not going to back down from anyone.
"I am not intimidated by anybody. Whoever is out there I'll do my best to cover,'' said Riggs, who made the team as an undrafted free agent from Notre Dame. "I feel like I have always been a confident player. I have never been scared of any competition, or going against anybody."
The confident Riggs admits this past Sunday did give him "reassurance," however.
Riggs, the son of three-time Pro Bowl running back Gerald Riggs, was thrown into the action in the secondary with injuries to veterans Perrish Cox and Jason McCourty against the Falcons. Cox didn't dress for the game, while McCourty left the game early with a hamstring injury.
Riggs stepped in and played in 16 snaps. He made a big breakup on a third down pass to Falcons receiver Julio Jones. It was his first action in the defense since the season opener at Tampa Bay.
Riggs was inactive for three games this season with a knee injury. He's played on special teams against the Bucs, Dolphins and Falcons.
Titans safety Michael Griffin and McCourty were among those who complimented Riggs after the game.
"You have to play with a chip on your shoulder,'' Riggs said. "I think I performed well, and did what they asked me to do (against the Falcons). It was a big moment for me to make my first big play on third down...I wasn't nervous at all. I was ready to make a play."
It remains to be seen whether Riggs will be needed in the defense this week at Houston.
Cox said earlier in the week he's improving while recovering from a hamstring injury. McCourty will be evaluated during the course of the week.
Riggs said he'll be ready.
"I am just here to try and help us win games. I am ready to play on special teams and if they need me on defense I'll be ready,'' he said. "No matter what the situation is, I'll be ready for it."
