Ridley’s Season Ends After Return Cut Short by Broken Fibula

The Tennessee Titans absorbed a major blow in Week 11 when veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley suffered a season-ending leg injury just minutes into his return. Ridley had missed the previous month with a hamstring issue and was expected to rejoin the offense as Tennessee tried to stabilize its passing game. Instead, his comeback lasted only a few snaps.

Interim head coach Mike McCoy confirmed after the game that Ridley had sustained a broken fibula, ending his season for the second time in four years. The announcement dampened what had already been a difficult outing for Tennessee in a divisional matchup against the Houston Texans.

Ridley’s injury represents another setback in what has been an uneven year for the Titans’ offense. The team has struggled to find rhythm while dealing with quarterback changes, personnel uncertainty and inconsistent production from its receiving corps.

For Ridley, the news is especially difficult given the work he put into returning from injury. McCoy emphasized the veteran’s effort in rehabilitation, noting that the latest setback was “tough for everyone” inside the building.

1. Injury Fallout and Season Review

Ridley’s season ends with seven appearances, 17 receptions and 303 yards — all without a touchdown. The total narrowly edges his career low from 2021, another year derailed by injuries. For a player who had delivered back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons entering 2025, the decline underscores the challenges he faced throughout the campaign. The Titans relied heavily on him early in the season, but Ridley struggled to gain consistent separation and saw limited opportunities amid Tennessee’s fluctuating quarterback play. His season included only two games with more than 50 receiving yards, marking a career-low in explosive outings. Despite signing a four-year deal in 2024, Ridley’s long-term future in Tennessee is not guaranteed. The contract includes a potential out after the 2025 season, giving both sides flexibility depending on health, production and organizational direction. Regardless of what comes next, Ridley’s injury reshapes the Titans’ offense for the rest of the year, forcing younger players into larger roles sooner than anticipated.

2. Shifting Responsibilities for Tennessee’s Offense

With Ridley sidelined, rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike become the primary receiving options for quarterback Cam Ward. Ayomanor currently leads the team with 334 receiving yards, though production has been limited across the board. Tennessee entered the season hoping veterans would stabilize the unit, but injuries and inconsistent play have accelerated the development timeline for its young pass catchers. Both Ayomanor and Dike are now expected to absorb increased targets and handle tougher defensive matchups. The Titans will also look to incorporate a more balanced approach, distributing opportunities across the tight ends and backfield. McCoy and the coaching staff acknowledged that replacing Ridley’s experience and route discipline will require a collective effort rather than a single solution. How effectively the team adapts will likely determine its offensive ceiling in the final stretch of the season.

3. New Opportunities for Supporting Playmakers

Tight end Chig Okonkwo is positioned to see an expanded role after leading the team with 56 receiving yards in Week 11. His athleticism makes him one of Tennessee’s most versatile weapons, and his usage could increase as Ward searches for reliable options between the hashes. Running back Tyjae Spears is also expected to become a bigger factor in the passing game. Spears logged 31 receiving yards against Houston and has shown strong ability as a check-down option and open-field target. The Titans may also lean on creative formations and quick-timing concepts to compensate for the loss of Ridley’s perimeter threat. Shorter routes, motion packages and spread alignments could help create space for less experienced receivers to operate. While Ridley’s absence is significant, the coming weeks offer Tennessee’s younger players a valuable chance to establish themselves and provide glimpses of the team’s future offensive identity.