Tennessee Titans new lineman wants to prove himself

The Tennessee Titans made some shuffles with their offensive line this week, signing Leroy Watson IV from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

In a corresponding move, the team waived fellow offensive lineman John Ojukwu, who re-signed with the team on the practice squad.

With Ojukwu out and Watson in, the latter now has a chance to prove himself and make the case for why he should be the team’s starting tackle over backup Jaelyn Duncan and struggling starter Nicholas Petit-Frere.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to prove myself,” Watson said, via team reporter Jim Wyatt. “This is what I wanted when I first came here, when they traded for me. I’m glad it came together so I can really prove (good) to this franchise.”

Watson, 26, made seven appearances with the Cleveland Browns last season after going undrafted in 2022 and bouncing around practice squads with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. He was traded to the Titans this offseason for a seventh-round pick because of his experience with new offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who coached Watson in Cleveland in 2023.

Although Watson did not make the team’s initial 53-man roster, the Titans were able to keep him on the practice squad, and he has continued to show improvement for the team in recent weeks. He hopes to realize the vision the Titans have for their offensive line.

“Physical football, that’s what I believe in,” Watson said. “I think if you can run the ball well and pass the ball well, that all helps. So I like to run the ball, and I like to be very (expletive) physical.”

The Titans have lacked physicality on the right side of the offensive line, which is where Petit-Frere has struggled so far this season. If he continues to make a mistake, there is a chance the team will call on Watson to make the change.

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