NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans have a hole to fill in their starting lineup after announcing on Thursday that they've lost safety Johnathan Cyprien for the season because of a torn ACL. There are some solid veteran safeties on the free-agent market who could help, but the Titans have an in-house option who could replace Cyprien as well.
Here are some possible replacements:
Kendrick Lewis (6-foot-0, 205 pounds): The Titans' veteran safety is a viable in-house option to replace Cyprien. Lewis is already familiar with defensive coordinator Dean Pees' scheme, having played for him in Baltimore. He was held out of Thursday's practice for a wrist injury, but coach Mike Vrabel expects to have Lewis back on the field soon.
Kenny Vaccaro (6-0, 214): Fortunately for the Titans, a player of Vaccaro's caliber is still available during training camp. The New Orleans Saints' 2013 first-round pick had three interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2017. He has a blend of safety and cornerback skills that would be somewhat interchangeable with All-Pro Titans safety Kevin Byard. ESPN's Saints reporter Mike Triplett confirmed Vaccaro will visit with the Titans on Friday.
Eric Reid (6-2, 213): Like Vaccaro, Reid is a 2013 first-round pick. And like Vaccaro, Reid is scheduled to visit the Titans on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The free agent is more of a box safety and was briefly converted to linebacker in San Francisco last season. Reid is still capable of matching up against tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. He finished last season with 67 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions.
Mike Mitchell (6-1, 221): If the Titans want an enforcer at safety, Mitchell would be the best option. Known for his bone-crushing tackles, Mitchell racked up 53 tackles in 13 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Mitchell, 31, is the oldest of the options mentioned so far, but he would provide a veteran more in the mold of Cyprien.