Why the Titans Didn't Give Alontae Taylor Any Snaps in Week 7

Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor hasn't seen the field for two consecutive weeks now. 

He initially missed the Indianapolis Colts game after being listed as inactive despite not appearing on the injury report with any ailment whatsoever. 

Head coach Robert Saleh said that it was to give him a chance to reset. Taylor played slot corner for the majority of the time he was with the New Orleans Saints from 2022-25. 

With the Titans, he's been asked to play on the outside with Cor'Dale Flott, a position that he is not as familiar with. 

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said that the team was starting to become more open to playing Taylor at his natural position of nickel. 

It seemed like Saleh was still going to give Taylor playing time in Week 7 based on his press conference comments leading up to the game. However, Taylor didn't get on the field for a single play in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. 

Instead, the starters were Marcus Harris, Cor'Dale Flott and Joshua Williams. 

Saleh was asked to shed more light on the Taylor situation at Monday's Zoom call. It looks like the Titans are still evaluating the nickel position and will continue to do so heading into Week 8. 

"Alontae, we're working with him to try to get him going at nickel. Obviously, our nickel is a little bit more complicated than most. It's more of a linebacker position. But Alontae has been great. He's attacking the heck out of it, and we'll see where he's at this week." 

So far, Harris has been playing slot corner for the Titans. The second-year man out of Cal has done a good job. Moving him to the outside would be unfamiliar territory for him, too. 

Harris has 35 total tackles, one interception, 0.5 sacks and three TFLs. 

Do the Titans move him to the outside? If they do that, what does that mean for Williams? Flott has been playing too well for the team to consider putting him on the bench. The Titans could hypothetically move Williams to the bench and start Taylor at slot corner, with Harris and Flott on the outside. 

With the Titans paying Taylor $58 million over the next three years, he needs to be on the field in some capacity. 

With how bad the secondary was at certain times on Sunday, this team needs to put its best players on the field. The Browns had no problems attacking the Titans through the air. 

Flott was able to bring in an interception, but outside of that, they really weren't able to do much to stop Deshaun Watson and the receivers. Watson finished with over 300 passing yards, and rookie K.C. Concepcion led the way with 100 receiving yards. 

The Titans can't afford to bench Taylor for another game. They have another tough matchup in Week 8, as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Titans are going to have their hands full. 

Saleh needs to figure out how Taylor is going to fit on this secondary, and fast.