The Tennessee Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott on Oct. 20, 2026, following an internal review of an Oct. 15 incident at the team facility. Reports indicate Elliott attempted to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle following a practice dispute with a teammate.
The move comes just as the Titans secured their first victory of the season, a 26-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. While the team’s official statement remained vague, citing only an incident
at the facility, subsequent reporting reveals a volatile confrontation that nearly escalated into a tragedy.
Statement from the @Titans on DL Jordan Elliott. pic.twitter.com/blH9LdpFrt
Firearm Retrieval and the Role of John Franklin-Myers
The conflict began on Oct. 15 when Elliott and offensive tackle JC Latham engaged in a scuffle on the practice field. After coaching staff ordered Elliott to leave the field, he reportedly removed his pads and stormed out of the facility. According to reports from NBC Sports and KPRC, Elliott then went to the players’ parking garage to retrieve a gun from his car.
The situation was prevented from escalating by veteran defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who talked Elliott down before any altercation involving the weapon occurred. Security cameras captured the entire sequence of events. Despite the severity of the incident, the Metro Nashville Police Department told A to Z Sports that no police reports had been filed and the Titans had not contacted the department.
Personal Issues Fuel Elliott's Workplace Outburst
Sources suggest the outburst was not an isolated event but the result of external pressures. An NFL source told KPRC that Elliott had been having a lot of problems away from the building
and brought those issues to the workplace. Coach Robert Saleh had previously mentioned on the Friday before the Colts game that Elliott was dealing with some personal stuff
.
There was no reason for him to go off like that. Everyone thought that was wild. To overreact like that is absolutely crazy. We’re just glad that no one got hurt and it’s over.
https://t.co/LmkXJol2ss
This disciplinary volatility appears to be a trend across the Titans' roster this week. The release of Elliott follows the benching of cornerback Alontae Taylor, a player who signed a three-year, $58 million contract in March and has $42 million in contract guarantees. Taylor, who had recorded one sack and 19 tackles through five games, did not suit up for the Week 6 win. Coach Robert Saleh has declined to specify if Taylor’s absence was based on performance or discipline.
Elliott's Departure Shifts Titans Roster Roles
Elliott had signed a two-year deal in March 2026 to reunite with Saleh, who previously coached him with the San Francisco 49ers. While Pro Football Rumors reported the contract at $8 million with $3.24 million guaranteed, Yahoo Sports described the deal as worth up to $8.5 million. The Tennessean reports Elliott’s cap hit was $2.8 million this season and will be $5.1 million next year.
On the field, Elliott’s departure creates an opening for other interior defenders. The Titans are now expected to rely more heavily on Solomon Thomas and nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse. Stackhouse, a former Georgia standout claimed off waivers from the Green Bay Packers, played 15 snaps during the Week 6 win over the Colts. The team may also promote Timmy Horne from the practice squad to fill the void.
Elliott Brings Veteran Experience from Cleveland and San Francisco
A third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2020 out of Missouri—where he was a first-team All-SEC player in 2019—Elliott is a seventh-year veteran. He spent four years in Cleveland and two in San Francisco, where he started 16 games last season under Saleh. In his two seasons with the 49ers, he recorded 50 tackles, 20 solo stops, four quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss. Over his career, he has logged 102 NFL games with 65 starts, 159 tackles, and 11 tackles for loss.
Former Bronco John Franklin-Myers to the rescue. Details here 👇🏼👇🏼 https://t.co/OGXf5qT9Sf
During his brief tenure in Tennessee, Elliott appeared in the first five games of the 2026 season, starting one. He recorded 11 total tackles, including nine assisted and two solo, along with one quarterback pressure. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded below average in run defense at 47.6 for the season, though he did achieve a season-best grade of 67.5 during a loss to the Houston Texans.
Former Players Call Incident Career Ending
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from former NFL players, who suggest the breach of locker room trust may be career-ending. Emmanuel Acho told Speakeasy that Elliott will never play another game in the National Football League
, arguing that threatening a teammate’s life is an egregious act that exceeds standard locker room conduct.
.@BossWard43 had some strong words about Jordan Elliott who went to retrieve his firearm after arguing with a teammate "If you can't control your emotions, how much of a man are you!?"LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/P1l5YO9aEL pic.twitter.com/34iL2Y5MjE
Several key questions remain unresolved. It is unclear if Elliott actually brought the firearm back inside the practice facility or if the league office was ever formally notified of the event. The exact financial penalty the Titans will incur for the release remains unconfirmed. The Titans are now preparing to host the AFC North-leading Cleveland Browns in Week 7.
More on Jordan Elliott
Sources: Firearm involved in Jordan Elliott’s release from Titans following frustration with teammate that carried over after practice https://t.co/cug2PdOSZc
Titans release DL Jordan Elliott after review of "incident" at team facility: https://t.co/gfkFZBnuCf
Since Burke Nihill emphasized the #Titans football stability they healthy scratched a free-agent addition who got over $40M guaranteed (Alontae Taylor) and cut Jordan Elliott, who was doing good work as a run stopper, for an incident at the team’s facility.
All is not well with the #TitansStatement:On Thursday, October 15, there was an incident at our team facility involving Jordan Elliott. Following our review of the incident, we have made the decision to release Elliott from our roster. We will have no further comment on…