Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott has been released by the Tennessee Titans after he pulled a gun in the car park of the team facility.
Titans coach Robert Saleh confirmed on Tuesday reports that Elliott retrieved a gun from his car after an altercation with JC Latham during practice on 15 October.
The 28-year-old did not play in Sunday's victory against the Indianapolis Colts and was released by the Titans on Tuesday over what the club called an "incident".
"Just pause with regards to the news that Jordan had a gun," Saleh said.
"This is a man who is a father, a great husband. This is a man who has never committed a crime in his entire life.
"And he pulled a gun in the parking lot. Why did he go off the rails and grab a gun? To me, those are small signs of a cry for help. Obviously there is something greater happening."
Offensive tackle Latham called the altercation with Elliott an "unfortunate situation" that happened "just in the heat of the moment".
"Never been no bad blood between us two. We never actually had an argument leading up to it," Latham said.
"I do think mental health is extremely important and that's just one of those situations where you pray for a guy like that and, if you can, reach out to him, hope for the best for him. It's nothing personal on my end."
Elliott, who previously played for San Francisco and Cleveland, has appeared in five games this season.
Saleh said he would still recommend Elliott to another franchise.
"My message to 31 other teams would be if you need a hell of a run-stopping D-tackle that can help you on a play-off run, give me a call, I'll tell you everything you need to know about him," he said.
"I will stand on the table for Jordan's character. Unfortunately rules are rules with regards to guns on property, and sometimes it's far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they're down."
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