Another offseason setback followed a lost rookie season, though Tennessee believes Femi Oladejo will hit the field when camp opens.
By PAUL KUHARSKY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Femi Oladejo missed spring practices because of a hamstring injury, but he'll be ready when the Titans open training camp July 29.
The Titans drafted Oladejo 52nd in the second round in 2025, as an edge for their 3-4. But he played just six games, fracturing his leg Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
As the first defensive pick of a new GM, Oladejo’s development was going to be key to Mike Borgonzi's build no matter what.
Whatever work Femi Oladejo managed away from the practice field, he missed the most important portions of OTAs and minicamp, valuable catch-up time for a player whose rookie season was cut short and who is learning a new defensive system.
Then Tennessee selected him as a developmental prospect with much more transformation still ahead.
Now shifting from 3-4 outside linebacker to 4-3 end, he’ll operate even less in space and be even more strictly a pass rusher. Jermaine Johnson and first-round rookie Keldric Faulk should be the primary guys, with veteran addition Jacob Martin in the mix of a group[ that will rotate heavily. Oladejo needs to factor in there.
PaulKuharsky.com is reader-supported independent Titans coverage. Paul has covered this team since 1996 - longer than any active beat reporter. Full access to every member story, film study, and podcast is $7.50/month or $81/year. Become a member.
Robert Saleh recently explained why Oladejo's biggest growth won't come until the pads go on.
“I mean, he checks every box,” Saleh said. “He looks unbelievable walking off the bus, right? And he's got great length, he's got great speed. For him, it's going to come down to putting on pads and playing with the violence that we ask for out of the defensive line. Different than a 3-4 team, and it's not to say that he's not a violent person. He can play with violence but you're not really asked when you're just sitting there setting edges and the way outside linebackers play.
“We get off the ball, we're in your face. There is a learning curve, so right now it's more just fine-tuning his movements with regards to pass rush and understanding pad level and the ways we ask our guys to get off. But the true growth will happen once training camp hits.”
We now know why Femi Oladejo missed valuable spring work. The Titans believe the setback won't prevent him from making up that lost development in training camp.
Support independent Titans coverage
PaulKuharsky.com is independent Titans coverage supported by readers. Paul has covered this team since 1996 — longer than any active beat reporter.
Full access to every member story, film study, and podcast is $7.50/month or $81/year.
