NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans have added a boost to their pass rush with the addition of veteran linebacker Erik Walden.
The team has also signed guard Jake Simonich, who will compete for a roster spot in training camp.
To make room on the roster, the Titans parted ways with guard Sebastian Tretola and linebacker Johnny Ragin III.
Walden, who visited the team earlier this offseason, has a chance to add valuable depth behind starting linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan while also competing against second-year pro Kevin Dodd and others.
A 6-foot-2, 250-pounder, Walden played at MTSU. Walden is a nine-year pro who is coming off the best season of his career in 2016 with the Colts.
Walden started all 16 games last season in Indianapolis, and finished with a career-high 11 sacks, to go with 42 tackles.
In nine seasons, Walden has recorded 32 sacks, along with 320 total tackles.
Walden was a sixth-round pick by the Cowboys in the 2008 NFL Draft, but he was waived during the final cuts. He's since played with the Chiefs (2008), Dolphins (2008-2010), Packers (2010-2012) and the Colts, where he played from 2013-2016. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Packers during the 2010 season.
Simonich (6-5, 296) was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State, but he was released in June. He started all 12 games (eight at right guard, four at right tackle) and earned honorable mention all-Mountain West honors as a senior.
Simonich played in 52 games during his Utah State career, which ranks tied for second all-time in school history, trailing only Jordan Nielsen, who played in 53 career games.
Tretola, a sixth round pick out of Arkansas in the 2016 NFL Draft, saw action as a reserve in one game last season.
Additionally, the team released cornerback John Green off the reserve/injured list.
The Titans report to training camp today. The team's first practice is scheduled for Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
