Tennessee Titans rule out Carnell Tate, Tyjae Spears and Tommy Townsend
On Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, the Tennessee Titans ruled out receiver Carnell Tate (shoulder), running back Tyjae Spears (knee) and punter Tommy Townsend (left knee) for Sundays game at the Cincinnati Bengals. Tate leads the Titans with 34 catches for 413 yards and a touchdown and missed practice all three days this week at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Coach Robert Saleh said the staff planned to “push the envelope” on Tate’s injury with additional work but acknowledged the difficulty for a young player to return without practice. The source report was published Oct. 30, 2026.
Calvin Ridley was limited in practice for the third straight day and is listed as questionable for Sunday, and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (groin) is also listed as questionable. Cornerback Jaylon Jones (knee) was added to the injury report and is listed as questionable. Running back Tony Pollard returned to practice after an off day on Thursday and is listed as good to go for Sunday. Linebacker Dorian Mausi practiced Friday after being moved to the Designated to Return to Practice list and remains listed as questionable until officially activated from injured reserve.
The Titans added defensive tackle Jonah Laulu this week after he was cut by the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday and claimed by Tennessee on Wednesday. Laulu arrived in Nashville in time to see the Jeffery Simmons trade on Thursday, practiced with the team and described the last 24 hours as “crazy.” Over the past three seasons with Las Vegas he played in 39 games with 22 starts and compiled 91 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits. This season he played in five games, was a healthy scratch for two others, and had five tackles and a half sack.
Veteran punter Thomas Morstead, who was signed to the practice squad earlier in the week, had a productive week of practice and is expected to be promoted for Sunday following Townsend’s injury, Saleh said. Saleh noted Morstead has remained in good condition and referenced the competition his work ethic creates for other specialists. The Titans promoted defensive tackle Timmy Horne to the active roster on Friday; Horne had been released earlier in the week, signed to the practice squad and has appeared in two games this season with five tackles credited. Tennessee also signed linebacker Dominique Hampton to the practice squad.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Missing Carnell Tate removes the Titans’ top receiving option this season and raises the importance of Calvin Ridley’s availability and the depth of the receiving corps against Cincinnati. The expected promotion of Thomas Morstead addresses the immediate punting vacancy created by Tommy Townsend’s knee injury and supplies a veteran presence for game day. Jonah Laulu’s arrival provides interior defensive-line depth after recent roster changes and gives defensive coordinator Gus Bradley another option against the run and on the edges. With several players listed as questionable, Tennessee’s active game-day roster could hinge on late activations and the club’s decision on Dorian Mausi prior to Sunday’s kickoff.