A year after signing a four-year Titans extension, Jeffery Simmons has added a piece of reporting to his resume. The sixth-year Titans defensive lineman alerted X followers that Arden Key‘s suspension will not come to pass.
In late July, reports came down that the Tennessee edge-rusher received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. In a rare development, the ban has been overturned on appeal. ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport confirms Simmons’ offering, and the Titans will be eligible to use Key for the season’s first six games.
This will both keep a Titans starter in the mix and protect Key’s guarantees. While appeal processes can lead to reduced suspensions, PED bans are not commonly reversed. This represents a win for the Titans, who have Key on a three-year deal worth $21M. The free-agent pickup started nine games last season and is on track to be Tennessee’s top Harold Landry edge sidekick this year.
Signing early during the 2023 free-agency period after playing for three teams from 2020-22, Key notched six sacks and 12 quarterback hits in his Titans debut. The former Raiders third-rounder and Jaguars and 49ers supplementary rusher has a 6.5-sack season — with the 2021 49ers — on his resume as well. Key, 28, struggled to find a role with the Raiders but has offered belated production elsewhere. The Titans need more of it soon.
The Titans have run into steady trouble finding edge help opposite Landry. From Jadeveon Clowney to Cameron Wake to Vic Beasley to Bud Dupree, Tennessee has been unable to staff this position since acquiring Landry in the 2018 second round. The team also lost versatile pass-rusher Denico Autry in free agency, seeing him join off-ball linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair with the Texans. Tennessee needs Key, who was part of GM Ran Carthon‘s first FA crop, to provide stability.
Rashad Weaver (5.5 sacks in 2022, none last year) loomed as Key’s replacement. The former fourth-round pick can slide back into a rotational role on the heels of this news.
