EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – “Absent.”
That’s what it said in white letters on Josh Reynolds' black T-shirt when he took the podium to speak to the media after the Titans’ hard-to-swallow 27-24 overtime loss to the Jets.
That’s what too many key members of the Titans were because of injuries. That’s what the Titans’ big-play defense was. That’s what the Titans’ pass protection was. That’s what the receivers’ separation was.
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That mark the Titans should have got in the win column in a game against a terrible team is also absent, given instead to a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback, as their first victories in the league, memories they will never forget.
In a 17-game season, four games is no longer officially the quarter mark. But the Titans are a confounding team that has played well below expectations, expectations the franchise welcomed.