Big Break for Jaguars as Titans Rule Anthony Hill Out

The one player the Tennessee Titans did not want to lose is out for Sunday’s AFC South matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium.

Titans rookie linebacker Anthony Hill was officially ruled out on Friday, marking the first game he has missed in his career.

Hill, a second-round pick, leads the Titans with 82 tackles, and he ranks fifth in the NFL in combined tackles, per NFL.com. 

The Jaguars, who are averaging 28.6 points per game, the fourth-highest in the NFL, could be some trouble for Tennessee, who are also missing linebacker Cody Barton (concussion) and have traded away Jeffrey Simmons and Amani Hooker. But that’s not all. 

There is trouble on offense, as well. 

The Titans will also miss rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate, guard Peter Skoronski, and punter Tommy Townsend against one of the AFC's best teams, according to the Titans final injury report, as reported by Titans writer Jim Wyatt. 

The Jaguars (6-2) are 10.5-point favorites over the Titans (1-7) and have a 71.1% win probability, according to FanDuel.

Trevor Lawrence will enter Nissan Stadium with 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions, leading a balanced offense featuring rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten, who has rushed for 521 yards and averages 4.3 yards per carry. 

In a report last month, Jaguars Analyst Bucky Brooks wrote, “Lawrence is operating at an NFL MVP level with his managerial skills and playmaking potential, making him an unstoppable weapon for the Jaguars… Lawrence’s athleticism and big-play ability test the discipline and awareness of the 11 defenders.”  

Titans linebacker Cedric Gray, coming off a 164-tackle season in 2025, will be first in line to try to slow down the Jags. On Friday, Titans head coach Robert Saleh said Gray “will get the opportunity to play the entire game.” 

Even before this week, however, the Titans' defense has allowed receivers to burn them. 

Tennessee’s pass defense has allowed opponents to complete 71% of passes, average 8 yards per attempt, and make 30 completions of at least 20 yards. 

With Tuten’s production and Hill absent, however, Jacksonville may not need to exploit the Titans’ pass defense if the Jaguars’ offensive line can clear the way. 

According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Jaguars’ O-line allows a stuffed rush on only 13.5% of rush attempts, the fourth-lowest in the NFL.

Divisional road games are known for being weird, and Titans quarterback Cam Ward is coming off a 304-yard, two-touchdown performance in an overtime loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati, completing 65% of his passes. 

Ward may give the Titans a chance, but only if their defense can keep the Jaguars’ offense off the field. 

If Sunday is a shootout, the Titans will have to keep pace with a depleted arsenal.