Evaluating the Potential Productivity of Titans' Jeffery Simmons Amidst Past Knee Issues

Tennessee Titans' defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons suffered a torn left ACL while preparing for the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite this significant injury, the Titans saw immense value in Simmons and selected him in the first round with the 19th pick. He began his first season wearing a left knee brace, which he removed at the start of his second year. 

Since then, Simmons has proven the Titans' decision right, becoming a dominant force at his position and recently ranked #4 overall among defensive tackles.

Simmons experienced a setback last year, suffering a knee sprain that caused him to miss the final five games of the 2023 season. This injury resulted in a down year for Simmons, dropping him from as high as #3 overall in his position rankings. 

As of early June 2024, Simmons was not available at the Titans' mini-camp, which raises concerns given his history of knee issues. These ongoing knee problems have impacted his performance, including the statistical decline in 2023.

Despite these concerns, we at sicscore.com expect a ramp-up process during training camp, with Simmons projected to be ready for Week 1. 

While there is a slight worry that his chronic knee issues might linger throughout the season, the new defensive system offers Simmons an opportunity to excel. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to surpass all his career highs and solidify his position as one of the league's top defensive tackles.