After overcoming injuries and flashing preseason brilliance, Xavier Restrepo’s rollercoaster journey with Tennessee took a shocking turn when a sudden waiver left the former Miami standout searching for a new home.
If you've been keeping up with the Tennessee Titans lately, there have been a few feel-good stories to follow.
In the preseason alone, there's been the surge of rookie right guard Fernando Carmona and the underdog stories of Tyren Montgomery and Xavier Restrepo.
Montgomery went from not playing football a few years ago to ending up in the NFL with the Titans as an undrafted free agent signing.
Restrepo had a comeback story on his own with the Titans.
He underperformed at Miami's Pro Day last year and had a disappointing run in the 40-yard dash. He wasn't selected in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent.
It was revealed that he had hamstring issues, which led to him not performing as well in the 40-yard dash as a result. He was signed to the practice squad and eventually elevated to the active roster in November of last year.
He worked his way back from the hamstring injury this offseason and self-reported running a 4.45 40-yard dash.
Restrepo had his best game of the preseason on Saturday, catching four passes for 71 receiving yards.
It appeared that his efforts were enough to make the 53-man roster. He was on the initial roster, but then the Titans decided to waive him on Monday, per Insider Jim Wyatt.
The Titans also waived Austin Deculus, Jerrick Reed II, Erick Hallett II and Mohamoud Diabate.
So far, the Titans are sticking with receivers Calvin Ridley, Wan'Dale Robinson, Carnell Tate, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor.
With Restrepo being waived, his only hope of being on the Titans was to make the practice squad. Unfortunately, he wasn't signed to that either.
It's puzzling that he was on the 53-man roster, got waived, and then wasn't signed to the practice squad.
A similar thing happened last year, when he didn't make the roster but joined the practice squad. He played in two games after being elevated to the active roster late last season.
Restrepo will now get another opportunity with a different NFL team after working so hard to be on the Titans with his former college teammate Cam Ward.
Ward even campaigned for the Titans to sign Restrepo as an undrafted free agent last year.
Life isn't fair in the NFL, especially for a player like Restrepo, who had to fight to make this team.
The decision was definitely an interesting one by the franchise.
