The Tennessee Titans are emerging from a relatively successful 2020 campaign, as they won the AFC South for the first time since 2008, and Derrick Henry led the league for a second consecutive season in the rush. While they were quickly chased by the Baltimore Ravens of the post-season in the Super Wild-Card Weekend, the Titans could still accomplish a lot without the help of their first round in attacking tackle Isaiah Wilson.
The overall no. 29 in the 2020 NFL draft last season recorded just four snaps and unfortunately made headlines for his off-field performance rather than on. Wilson’s season officially ended when he was placed on the reserve / non-football list in early December.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson was asked at a news conference with reporters Tuesday about Wilson’s status. Robinson responded to this by saying that they had not had contact with him since he was placed on the list of reserve / non-football injuries, and it was up to him to determine his future.
“He will have to make a decision on whether he wants to do what is necessary to play pro football. It depends on him,” Robinson said. via Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official website.
Robinson did mention that “some people” were in contact with Wilson, but it is noteworthy that the general manager has not done so yet – especially not with how patient the Titans were with Wilson.
Wilson was arrested for DUI in September, and just a month earlier, he had received a violation warning while attending a party. According to the Tennessee State Police report obtained by Paul Kuharsky from PaulKuharsky.com, Wilson even considered jumping from a second-floor balcony to evade authorities. The rookie started a training camp on the reserve / COVID list and made another turn on the list in early September. Later in the year, Wilson was suspended by the Titans for violating club rules. Shortly after his suspension was listed, he was eventually placed on the reserve / non-football list due to “personal issues.”
When the Titans drafted the offensive suit of 6 feet-6 and 350 pounds from Georgia last year, they imagined an athletic example that could serve as an anchor to Taylor Lewan for years to come. But now one has to wonder if he is ever going to play an NFL game again.
“We did a lot of work on him, which led to the evaluation process,” Robinson said. via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. “The player who was in Nashville this fall was not the player we judged.”
The Titans could not have been more patient with Wilson in the midst of his battle, but a final decision on his future may come soon.