One of the key members, no pun intended, of the Tennessee Titans defensive line will be available for Week 1 after all.
On Saturday, Titans edge-rusher Arden Key successfully appealed a potential six-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. While it’s good news for Key, it’s even better for the team.
Without Key, the Titans would’ve had two choices to fill the void left along the defensive line, neither ideal. Barring an agreement with one of the veterans left on the free-agent market, the best-available replacements on the roster were likely fourth-year linebacker Rashad Weaver, who has four career starts coming into this year, and rookie seventh-rounder Jaylen Harrell.
Last season, Key made an immediate impact, finishing third on the team in hurries (29) and sacks (7) while ranking fourth in pressures (40) and QB hits (4). Making up for that production so early in the season would’ve been challenging, to say the least.
Key received the news that he was facing a possible suspension on July 30. At the time, head coach Brian Callahan acknowledged the possibility, telling reporters that the team would “play with who we have.”
Now that the Titans won’t have to worry about replacing the 28-year-old, Tennessee can officially pencil him in as the starter opposite Harold Landry III on the edge.
Selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the then-Oakland Raiders, Key has bounced around a bit, playing for four different teams over a six-year career. However, he’s seemingly found a home with the Titans, who he’ll begin his second season with as important piece to the team’s defensive line.
