The Tennessee Titans are working through a long list of injuries ahead of their Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Perhaps the most worrisome is wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who has missed time due to a hamstring problem since Week 6. The 1-6 Titans need their primary pass-catcher back, but his availability for Sunday remains doubtful.
Will Calvin Ridley Play in Week 8?
Ridley suffered a hamstring injury on October 12 during the Titans’ Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, which led to him exiting early after playing only six snaps. Since then, he has missed several practices and did not play in Week 7.
Ridley was also listed as Did Not Participate in Practice on Wednesday. The Titans receiver did not practice on Thursday either and is not expected to play in Week 8.
Interim coach Mike McCoy has avoided giving detailed updates, but may give one on Friday. However, early-week practice reports imply Ridley’s recovery is progressing at a slow pace. He has not logged a full practice since getting injured, and his chances of seeing the field on Sunday look slim.
Hamstring injuries can be unpredictable and tend to linger, especially for wide receivers who rely heavily on explosive movement. Ridley had already been dealing with minor knee and elbow issues earlier in the season, but had not missed game time until his injury in Week 6.
Given his prolonged absence from practice, Ridley is officially listed as questionable; however, he seems to be leaning towards being inactive for the kickoff on Sunday. Players with similar hamstring injuries often need 1-3 weeks to fully recover, and returning too soon risks re-aggravation and an even longer absence.
According to PFSN’s WRi, Ridley has an impact score of 70.9, with a C- grade. He ranks 58th among all wide receivers. Through six games this season, the former Jaguars player has logged 16 receptions for 290 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, apart from Ridley, other Tennessee cornerstone players are also recovering. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 and was not a participant in Wednesday’s practice. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed re-aggravated a quadriceps injury in the same game and was placed on the injured reserve.
Outside linebacker Arden Key worked separately from teammates due to a quadriceps injury and did not practice. Blake Hance (shoulder) and Bryce Oliver (knee) were also absent, with Oliver missing his fifth straight game. The Titans have five players on injured reserve, including Oluwafemi Oladejo, Kalel Mullings, and Mike Brown, with Mullings the closest to returning.
