On Tuesday, the Tennessee Titans released defensive lineman Jordan Elliott after a practice altercation led him to go to his vehicle to retrieve a firearm. The Titans issued a statement on the matter but did not specify what led to his dismissal.
After an altercation with teammate and offensive lineman JC Latham last Thursday, Elliott was told to leave practice. According to reports, security cameras captured him heading to his vehicle to retrieve a firearm before teammate John Franklin-Myers talked him down. Elliott did not practice the next day and was made inactive for Sunday’s win against the Indianapolis Colts.
On Wednesday, head coach Robert Saleh defended the seven-year veteran during a press conference in which he addressed the team’s recent cut.
“This is a man who’s a father, a great husband; he’s never committed a crime in his entire life, and he pulled a gun in the parking lot,” Saleh said, via NFL insider Ari Meirov. “The first question that I think everyone forgets to ask is: why would a grown man, a great father, a man that shows up on time every day, works his ass off every day, contributes the way he’s supposed to contribute and is well liked in the locker room, why did he go off the rails and grab a gun?
“To me, those are small signs of a cry of help. In terms of, obviously there’s something greater happening. And I thought the team and the NFL did an outstanding job with regard to pausing and asking those questions and checking every single box with regards to getting him the help that he needs.”
Saleh mentioned the past two suicides that have haunted the NFL over the last year and advocated that the appropriate help is imperative in this league. The Titans head coach said he would “stand on the table” for Elliott but understood “rules are rules” regarding guns.
“These kids go through a lot,” Saleh added. “I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character. My message to 31 other teams: If you need a hell of a run-stopping [defensive tackle] that can help for a playoff run, give me a call. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s a good man. Had a terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act.”
According to the New York Post, a source told Houston’s KPRC2 that Elliott had been dealing with family issues at home and that his reaction last Thursday likely stemmed from that.
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