Tennessee Titans Fire ST Coach Craig Aukerman, Announce Injury Updates on Stonehouse, Simmons and Henry
The Tennessee Titans have fired special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman after an embarrassing display from the Titans special teams units led to not only a heartbreaking loss to the Colts in Week 13, but a season-ending injury to the Titans' elite punter, Ryan Stonehouse.
Aukerman Fired
Head coach Mike Vrabel announced that the team would be moving on from Aukerman, who has been Vrabel's special teams coach since Vrabel was first hired in 2018. In his place, longtime coaching veteran Tom Quinn will take over the post.
Vrabel explained the decision at his press conference on Monday.
"I had a conversation with Craig Aukerman," Vrabel said, "and (we're) going to move on and make a change there on our leadership on the special teams unit. I am excited about the possibility of Tom Quinn leading that group. Tom is going to take over those duties."
Special teams disasters are what cost the Titans the game on Sunday. Between two blocked punts(yes, one was ruled a fumble), a long kickoff return allowed and a missed extra point, the Titans gave the game away to a Colts team they should have beat by a considerable margin. It was unacceptable.
Tom Quinn, the man Vrabel mentioned, will be taking over. Quinn has coached in college football and the NFL. Most recently Quinn was with the New York Giants from 2006-2021. Vrabel seemed excited about what Quinn could bring.
"He brings a lot of experience and knowledge, he's a great teacher," Vrabel explained. "So, hopefully we'll be able to continue the stuff that we've done well, which there have been plenty of things that we've done well, and hopefully eliminate those mistakes that cost you."
Injuries
One of the things the Titans did well, was punt(when they actually got the ball off), mostly because of how talented Ryan Stonehouse is as a punter. Unfortunately, Aukerman's mistakes will cost Stonehouse the rest of his season.
Vrabel also announced on Monday that Stonehouse will have surgery and be out the rest of the year. The second-year punter was having a career year after an impressive rookie debut. Stonehouse showed optimism online after the news dropped though.
Along with Stonehouse, Vrabel touched on Jeffery Simmons and Derrick Henry's situations. Both left the game early against the Colts. The Titans would be in big trouble without them as they represent the most notable player on either side of the ball.
The Titans look to have gone one for two as Simmons is expected to be out multiple weeks and surprisingly, Henry is not in concussion protocol according to Vrabel, contradicting a report on Monday morning from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
According to Vrabel, Henry worked out on Monday morning and was checked Sunday night and Monday morning, but is not in the protocol. Henry took a shot to the head and then potentially hit his head on the ground when landing in Sunday's game, so great news for Henry that he isn't feeling the affects.
The Titans have a very difficult game on the road against the explosive Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 14, so they will need more than a change at special teams to get a win there. The absence of Jeffery Simmons can't help, but hey, maybe a miracle happens.
Titans-Colts Related Stories
- VRABEL SPEAKS AFTER LOSS: Special teams blunders and big plays allowed on defense made it hard for the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and they let one slip away in a 31-28 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts. CLICK HERE
- WATCH HOOKER TWO-POINT INT: The Tennessee Titans turned an embarrassing moment into one of the craziest sequences of the season when Amani Hooker intercepted a two-point attempt and returned it for a score after the Titans gave up a blocked punt for a Colts' score. CLICK HERE
- WATCH LEVIS-HOPKINS EXCHANGE: The Tennessee Titans are in a battle with the Indianapolis Colts and with tensions being so high we saw a dust-up on the sideline between Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins. CLICK HERE
- WATCH LEVIS HELICOPTER: The Tennessee Titans' rookie quarterback has looked good through one quarter against the Indianapolis Colts including picking up a first down with his legs, but after being spun in mid-air, Levis will think twice about his aggressiveness going forward. CLICK HERE
- WATCH LEVIS HIT OKONKWO: The Tennessee Titans got things going early on offense when Will Levis hit tight end Chig Okonkwo for a 39-yard gain on the opening drive that set up the Titans' first touchdown. CLICK HERE
