Titans' Jordan Elliott was released after reportedly going to retrieve a gun after dispute at practice
Jordan Elliott lasted just five games with the Titans.
The Tennessee Titans unceremoniously released offseason acquisition Jordan Elliott on Tuesday. The team's statement on the transaction was just 41 words long, and was devoid of specific details, merely citing an " incident at our team facility ."
Details of the "incident" have since come to light, with reports suggesting Elliott was released after allegedly going to retrieve a gun from his car following a practice altercation with a teammate, per KPRC2 reporter Aaron Wilson. That report was confirmed by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and the Athletic's Jonathan Jones on Wednesday.
While the NFL has not directly confirmed the incident, an NFL spokesperson told Pro Football Talk the situation was " under review ." NFL players are prohibited from having firearms at team or league facilities, so Elliott could face additional punishment from the league if the report is true.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh seemed to confirm that report Wednesday, saying Elliott " pulled a gun in the parking lot." Saleh ultimately went to bat for Elliott, calling him a "great man" and a "great father."
Saleh said he viewed Elliott's actions as a "cry for help" and brought up NFL players who died by suicide over the past year. Saleh said he didn't want to speculate on whether Elliott was in the same place, but said those situations are an example of how much NFL players endure mentally and physically.
Saleh then said he would be happy to go to bat for Elliott if any other team is looking to pick him up. Saleh again called Elliott a "great man" who "had a terrible lapse in judgment."
On Thursday, Elliott and offensive tackle JC Latham were reportedly involved in a dispute at practice that resulted in Elliott being told to leave the field, per Wilson. Elliott, 28, then reportedly took off his pads and went to his car to retrieve a gun, possibly to confront Latham. The entire sequence was reportedly captured by security cameras at the team's facility.
It does not appear a confrontation took place as defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was reportedly able to talk Elliott down. The gun reportedly never left Elliott's parking spot, per Garafolo.
Following the alleged incident, Elliott did not practice with the team the following day. At the time, Saleh said the defensive tackle was "dealing with personal stuff."
Elliott was inactive for the team's Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts and was released a few days later.
Elliott was expected to be a useful contributor to the Titans after signing a two-year, $8.5 million deal with the team in the offseason. The defensive tackle followed Saleh to the Titans from the San Francisco 49ers, so the head coach clearly saw something in Elliott's ability.
In five games, Elliott registered 11 total tackles.
If the details surrounding Elliott's release are true, it's hard to see the former third-round draft pick hooking on with another NFL team in the immediate future.
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