NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Titans (1-7) go for their first win under interim head coach Mike McCoy on Sunday when they host his former team the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3).
McCoy took over the team after Brian Callahan was fired following the teams’ 1-5, and has since lost games to the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.
Things are getting even more difficult for McCoy with the loss of even more key players. Jeffery Simmons and Calvin Ridley are still out with hamstring injuries, and safety Xavier Woods will also miss this week with a hamstring injury.
The team also traded away cornerback Roger McCreary this week to the Los Angeles Rams for another pickswap. The McCreary trade and Woods injury have likely forced two more rookies on to the field with sixth round pick Marcus Harris taking over at nickleback and third round pick Kevin Winston seeing extended time at safety. Winston was a highly thought of draft pick but was slowed by a hamstring injury preseason connected to his recovery from last years ACL surgery.
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McCoy refuses to use any of it as an excuse for the Titans, “When certain players get injured, sometimes you say you don’t have that type of player that might be filling in. But it’s a great opportunity for somebody else to step up. And they’ve got a job to do. So, you can’t make any excuses. You go out there and they’re going to play at a high level and do the best job they can.”
Defensively the patchwork Titans have to find a way to slow down Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert who is having another strong season.
Justin Herbert 2025 Stats
- Passing 201-296 (67.9%)
- Passing Yards 2,140
- Touchdowns 16
- Interceptions 7
The Chargers offensive has been hit by injury as well losing running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. They did get back left tackle Joe Alt a couple of weeks ago though and have seen a surge since then.
Herbert has three solid targets in veteran Keenan Allen, former first round pick Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey. Allen leads the group with 48 receptions this season.
On offense the Titans are still in search of a complete performance under rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Despite a significant uptick in Ward’s passing numbers the last few weeks the team still ranks last in the league in points and yards.
Titans Offense Ranks
- Points Per Game 13.8 (32nd)
- Yards Per Game 248.8 (32nd)
- Pass Yards Per Game 168.4 (31st)
- Rush Yards Per Game 80.4 (32nd)
- Sacks Allowed 34 (32nd)
The Titans pass offense has received a boost from rookie fourth round pick Chimere Dike who leads the team the last two games with 11 receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown. Rookie tight end Gunner Helm also caught his first touchdown last week at Indianapolis.
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“Those guys they work, they bust off each and every week they’re in the building,” said Ward. “And so, what they’re doing on the field, I’ve seen it in college for them but I knew it was just going to continue to prosper in the league just because the reps that we get just on our own time, but here. And I just think the biggest one out of those three is that they’re unselfish. Those are the type of guys that you need.”
Running back Tyjae Spears is also expected to see his touches increase in his third game back from injured reserve. Spears exploded for a 40 yard run last week and gives the Titans added speed in the backfield.
The Titans are big underdogs once again, the Chargers are 9.5 point favorites.