Treylon Burks’ tenure with the Tennessee Titans has come to an end. The team released the wide receiver on Monday, just days after he suffered a broken collarbone during practice. This injury adds to the list of serious setbacks Burks has faced since joining the Titans.
Burks, entering his fourth NFL season, has played in only 27 games over three years with the franchise, which drafted him 18th overall out of Arkansas. He missed five games in each of his first two seasons and was sidelined early in 2024 due to an ACL injury. After recovering, he sustained the collarbone injury during a diving catch at training camp over the weekend.
In total, Burks recorded 699 yards, 53 receptions, and one touchdown over three seasons for Tennessee. The Titans declined his fifth-year contract option this spring, signaling uncertainty about his future with the team. Burks was originally expected to fill the role of AJ Brown, who flourished after being traded to Philadelphia. The Titans had used draft picks obtained from the Brown trade to select Burks, hoping he would become the go-to receiver for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. However, after just three seasons, he is no longer with the team.
In response to struggles in the wide receiver position last year, Tennessee made several offseason moves to strengthen the group. They signed veterans Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, and drafted Florida’s Chima Dowke and Stanford’s Eric Ayomide. Additionally, they brought in former Raiders receiver and Tennessee standout Ramelkieton on Monday.
While the exact timeline for Burks’ full recovery is unclear, he was anticipated to miss the start of the regular season. If he regains full health, it’s likely another team in the league will give him an opportunity to continue his career. Burks leaves the Titans after a challenging start marked by injuries.
Fan Take: This development is significant for NFL watchers as it underscores how injuries can derail even highly touted prospects’ careers. It also highlights the ongoing challenges teams face in sustaining talent and the importance of depth and resilience in the league.