Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports
Butler Expected to Miss Extended Time With Injury
Insult and injury.
Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler experienced that dubious double late in the first half of Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Butler was hurt when he leaped to try and break up a pass for Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel with 58 seconds to play in the first half. Samuel made the catch for a 12-yard touchdown reception that gave his team a 17-point lead and Butler came down awkwardly on his left side.
Team officials announced at the start of the second half that the sixth-year veteran would not return to the contest. Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network reported short time later that Butler sustained a broken left wrist and would miss significant time.
Coach Mike Vrabel declined to comment on the severity of the injury following the contest.
Butler has not missed a game since his rookie season with New England (2014) and has been an important piece of Tennessee’s secondary since he signed five-year, $61 million free agent contract prior to last season. In 25 games for the Titans he has intercepted five passes, which is second on the team to safety Kevin Byard (seven) over that span. He has returned two, one each in 2018 and 2019, for touchdowns.
Butler is one of three Titans with multiple interceptions and is on pace to record 60 or more tackles for the fourth time. Prior to the injury, he had played all but six defensive snaps this season.
