Caleb Farley Injury: What a Third Back Surgery Could Mean For Titans CB

The Titans placed second-year cornerback Caleb Farley on IR on Tuesday after he suffered a potentially season-ending herniated disc in Week 10.

The 24-year-old previously underwent two separate microdiscectomies to repair disc herniations in 2020 and 2021 related to an injury he suffered deadlifting while at Virginia Tech. 

According to the Pro Football Docs, a third back surgery – which is reportedly a strong possibility – would be career-threatening and carry significant red flags for his longevity.

The type of surgery that Farley undergoes will be an indicator of his future in the league. 

Another microdiscectomy, while damaging, would be the best-case scenario, while fusion surgery – like the procedures that Chris Carson and Justyn Ross have undergone in recent years – would likely end his career, according to the Pro Football Docs. 

Farley reportedly suffered the recent back injury while he was blocking in punt coverage early in the third quarter as seen in this video pulled from NFL+ all-22. 

The punt was the last of only 31 snaps that the former #22 overall pick has played in the last four games. 

Farley was projected by many, including Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Jeremiah, to be a top-10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft until he underwent his second microdiscectomy days before his Pro Day in late March. 

The injury dropped him in the draft and Pro Football Doc, Dr. David Chao, expressed concern for future low-back problems and for the rate of his nerve healing.

The 6’2” 200-pound former quarterback tore his left ACL in October of his rookie season and was still in the gradual process of regaining his strength.

Partly due to the injuries, Farley has made 14 tackles and logged one pass defended in 12 games in his NFL career.

Farley opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so has played only 163 defensive snaps, made only 14 tackles, and suffered three significant back injuries since his All-American 2019 season that put him on the NFL radar.