Music City Miracles
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat returned to the lineup on Sunday following a four-game stint on IR. Sweat played a healthy 37 snaps in Sunday’s 31-13 Week 7 loss to the New England Patriots. Though it was encouraging to see him back, the Titans should soon expect more of their sophomore defender.
Sweat was credited with recording six solo tackles. He registered his first sack of the campaign (and second of his career) on an excellent rep where he split a Patriots double-team block across the interior. It was vintage Sweat, who needs additional likeminded reps moving forward.
Outside of the sack, Sweat was largely invisible. His 37 snaps were encouraging, but also likely a result of Jeffery Simmons’ premature exit due to a hamstring injury. Dennard Wilson undeniably asked more of Sweat as the Titans became shorthanded.
Sweat is a run-stopping nose tackle first and foremost. The Patriots rushed for 175 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Rhamondre Stevenson had a season-best day, rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown. The dual-threat Drake Maye scrambled for 62 yards on eight carries. There’s plenty of blame to go around, but Sweat was drafted highly to be Tennessee’s premier run stopper.
Sweat has experienced a strange sophomore campaign dating back to training camp. The former Longhorns standout missed sizable portions of the offseason with tonsillitis. Sweat then injured his ankle in Week 1 versus the Denver Broncos. He was placed on IR prior to Week 3 despite claiming he was going to play, leading to a four-game absence.
Sweat made a highlight-reel worthy play via his exciting sack. The rest of his workload was fairly inconsistent. Given Sweat’s peculiar campaign, it’s fair to be concerned and demand more of the sophomore second-round selection. Sweat must recapture his rookie-year form that made him a roster building block.
