NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Performance took precedent over loyalty for the Tennessee Titans on Monday as they released veteran cornerback Perrish Cox.

Cox played very poorly in Week 11 at the Colts and wasn’t much better Sunday in the Titans 27-21 win at Chicago, when he played in a rotation with rookie LeShaun Sims.

Sims didn’t perform very well either, but in him and Kalan Reed, who has been promoted from the practice squad, the Titans have younger alternatives with far more upside.

(A review of the cornerbacks' play from Sunday is here.)

It’s the sort of move the franchise has rarely made in season. Former coach Jeff Fisher was notoriously loyal to veterans, and under Mike Munchak and Ken Whisenhunt the Titans were generally reluctant to make a bold roster move during the season.

But Mike Mularkey and general manager Jon Robinson decided a move away from an underachieving veteran was best for the team.

It’s unclear if Sims will now start, though that’s the most likely scenario.

The Titans have rotated four safeties when they’ve all been healthy. They did the same with their outside corners in Chicago. Not only did Sims get work in Cox’s spot, but Valentino Blake got snaps in Jason McCourty’s spot, even before McCourty left the game with a bone bruise on his left knee.

They have a bye week now to sort out the plan going forward, and plenty of time to get DBs ready for their next game, Dec. 11 against Denver at Nissan Stadium.