Titans Expect Safety Kendell Brooks to Return for Week 14 Clash With Browns

The Tennessee Titans enter Week 14 seeking stability after a stretch marked by injuries and roster adjustments, and they appear set to regain one of their most overlooked contributors. Safety Kendell Brooks, who has spent much of his rookie season carving out a reliable role on special teams, is expected to return after missing two games due to a concussion. His availability comes at a crucial moment as the Titans prepare for a physical matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

Brooks’ return was reported by Jim Wyatt of Titans.com, who noted that the 25-year-old has cleared concussion protocol and is officially on track to suit up. For a Tennessee team dealing with depth concerns in the secondary, his reinstatement offers needed reinforcement across multiple phases of the game.

The undrafted rookie has quietly become a core special teams player, appearing in every phase—from kick coverage to punt returns—when active. Though his defensive snaps have been limited, his contributions in field-position battles have not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

As the Titans confront a Browns offense built on ball control and physicality, the return of a strong special teams presence helps strengthen Tennessee’s roster where margins often matter most.

1. Special Teams Standout Set to Rejoin the Lineup

Brooks has practiced in full throughout the week, signaling well before Saturday that he was trending toward a return. His activation puts him on the field for his seventh game of the season and first since Nov. 16, giving the Titans back a player who has quickly established himself as one of their most consistent special teams performers. Though listed as a safety, Brooks’ real value lies in his ability to impact coverage units. He has logged just a single defensive snap this season, but he has routinely appeared on all four special teams groups—kickoff, kick return, punt, and punt return—providing dependable production. Tennessee’s staff has emphasized how critical those roles are, especially in close contests where field position can shape outcomes. Brooks’ return restores a level of continuity the Titans have missed during his absence. His performance before the injury only reinforces that point. In Week 11 against Houston, Brooks delivered the strongest outing of his young career, finishing with a team-high three special teams tackles and showcasing strong instincts in coverage.

2. Reinforcements Arrive for a Thin Secondary

While Brooks is unlikely to see significant defensive snaps, his return nonetheless bolsters a secondary dealing with mounting injuries. Tennessee has already ruled out cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis for Sunday’s game, reducing the available defensive backs to nine. That shortage places added pressure on depth players, many of whom are short on NFL experience. Brooks’ presence gives defensive coordinator Shane Bowen additional options should the game demand in-game adjustments or emergency substitutions. Beyond immediate roster needs, Brooks’ return provides a stabilizing element for a unit that has undergone consistent shuffling. The Titans have leaned on younger contributors and mid-season acquisitions throughout the year, and getting a familiar face back helps restore cohesion. As the team prepares for Cleveland’s balanced attack, even incremental upgrades in depth and versatility help shape the overall game plan.

3. Titans Continue Turning to Youth Amid Injury Challenges

Brooks’ reactivation underscores a trend that has defined Tennessee’s season: widespread reliance on young and untested players to fill vital depth roles. Injuries across the roster have forced the Titans to pivot repeatedly, bringing in help wherever available and accelerating development timelines. Recently, that has included adding seventh-round rookie Micah Robinson from the Packers’ practice squad, a move designed to reinforce the secondary during a particularly challenging stretch. The Titans also signed former Cowboys starter Kaiir Elam, another acquisition aimed at adding experience and positional flexibility. Those moves reflect the franchise’s larger philosophy—using late-season opportunities to evaluate younger talent while managing injuries to established players. Brooks, despite his undrafted status, fits neatly into that approach as a player who has steadily carved a niche on special teams and earned trust from the coaching staff. With the Browns up next, the Titans will once again lean on emerging contributors like Brooks to help carry the load in a season defined by adaptation.