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Hot Topics from Coach Mike Mularkey After Roster Moves

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –** Titans coach Mike Mularkey met with reporters on Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park after the team trimmed its roster to 53 players.

Earlier in the day, the Titans released cornerback Manny Abad, tight end Jace Amaro, fullback Joe Bacci (waived injured), defensive lineman Angelo Blackson, nose tackle DeAngelo Brown, tight end Jerome Cunningham, long snapper Ryan DiSalvo (waived injured), quarterback Tyler Ferguson, cornerback Demontre Hurst, receiver Darius Jennings, safety Denzel Johnson, running back Akeem Judd (waived injured), receiver Jonathan Krause, receiver KeVonn Mabon, offensive lineman Tyler Marz, offensive lineman Josue Matias, receiver Tre McBride, tackle Steven Moore, running back Khalfani Muhammad, receiver Giovanni Pascascio, tackle Jonah Pirsig, running back Brandon Radcliff, defensive end Cameron Robbins, tackle Brad Seaton, tight end Tim Semisch, guard Jake Simonich, cornerback Darrius Sims, cornerback D'Joun Smith, center Mark Spelman, linebacker Justin Staples, defensive lineman Jimmy Staten (waived injured), receiver/returner Eric Weems and nose tackle Antwaun Woods. Also, quarterback Alex Tanney and receiver Tajae Sharpe have been placed on Injured Reserve.

Here's a look at the hot topics from the presser:

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Sharpe, Tanney to Injured Reserve**

Sharpe re-injured his foot in the final preseason game against the Chiefs, and was placed on Injured Reserve.

The Titans also placed Tanney on IR after he broke his foot against the Chiefs.

"Based on our history with that type of injury, we just felt like this was in his best interest for his career," Mularkey said of Sharpe, who won't be eligible to play in 2017. "We want to make sure this is right before we push him back onto the field again. 

"I'm not even sure surgery is going to be required – I haven't heard that word yet – but it was enough that we felt like it was better safe than anything to get him healthy."

Mularkey said the Titans are still in discussions on whether to add another QB, or possibly sign one to the practice squad.

"The injury was serious enough we put him on IR," Mularkey said of Tanney. "Injured Reserve is for the season, so he'll be around here for the year."

Not done yet

Mularkey cautioned the Titans "are still in the process" of putting the roster together.

"The roster is not completely set," Mularkey said. "We are still in discussions on some things, but for the most part we are moving forward."

The Titans have the option of claiming players released by other teams in the next 24 hours. The Titans will also put together a 10-man practice squad.

Mularkey said the team's scouts continue to watch the waiver wire.

"All we are trying to do is see if we can find a spot to improve our roster," Mularkey said. "We are still doing things to our roster as well."

Receivers

Rishard Matthews, Corey Davis, Eric Decker, Taywan Taylor and Harry Douglas made the initial 53-man roster.

In addition to Sharpe being placed on IR, Weems and McBride were among those released.

Mularkey indicated the team could still bring Weems back.

"We like Eric," Mularkey said. "Again, we are not done with our roster yet. We are making decisions and we'd like to have him back if we can."

Mularkey said cutting McBride, who led the Titans with nine catches in the preseason, was one of the toughest decisions. 

"It was definitely one of the tougher ones," Mularkey said. "He is such a competitor, and I knew it would be (tough) when he came in. He's a competitive player. It was a tough decision. We had a lot of conversations on Tre."

Fit for a King?

The Titans traded for Chiefs defensive lineman David King on Friday night.

King (6-4, 281), entering his fourth NFL season, has played in 10 career games, and has spent time with the Eagles, Bengals, Seahawks and Chiefs. He originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick by the Eagles in the 2013 draft. 

Mularkey talked about the newest Titan on Saturday.

"More depth at that position, which I don't know if you can ever have enough at the d-line position," Mularkey said. "I watched a lot of tape of him yesterday – (GM) Jon (Robinson) and I both did, and just felt good about his play, his pass rush ability. He obviously comes in from a 3-4 defense and can play end, can rush the passer on third down. You have an every down player coming in here, so that was good for us."

Davis talk

Davis, the fifth overall pick of the draft, didn't play in a game during the preseason.

But Mularkey said he made it through a pre-game warmup prior to Thursday's game against the Chiefs without any issues, and he expects Davis and receiver Eric Decker to be ready for Oakland.

"I still feel that way," Mularkey said. "(Corey) is not going to get a full practice – he hasn't had one yet. He is going to be limited on Monday. I like that we have an extra day, and that we are in pads on Monday. But he'll gradually get to where he is going full speed, and hopefully by the end of the week."

Up next: Raiders

The Titans will face the Raiders on September 10 at Nissan Stadium.

Mularkey said the feel in the building is already different.

"They are a good football team – all three phases," Mularkey said of the Raiders. "We are very similar teams in my opinion, and the team that makes the least mistakes…. I think they are very similar in style and scheme, so it will be a good game, a very good game.

"It's a good football team to open up with."

Here's an initial look at your 2017 Tennessee Titans!

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