Titans Linebacker James Williams Questionable Ahead of Week 13 vs. Jaguars

The Tennessee Titans enter Week 13 seeking only their second victory of the season, but they may have to do so without depth at a key defensive position. As the team prepares to host the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of its young linebackers has unexpectedly surfaced on the injury report. The update comes at a critical juncture for a roster already relying heavily on youth and developmental players.

On Saturday, the Titans listed linebacker James Williams as questionable for Sunday’s matchup due to illness. The 22-year-old, who fills a rotational role on the interior of Tennessee’s defense, had not been previously listed with any physical injury. His sudden status change reflects the type of late-week uncertainty teams often face as they enter the final stretch of the season.

If Williams is unable to suit up, Tennessee will turn to Joe Bachie for depth support behind starters Cedric Gray and Cody Barton. That shift would slightly reorder the Titans’ linebacker rotation, though the unit has already seen frequent adjustments as the team navigates a rebuilding year. While Williams is not one of the team’s primary defensive anchors, his absence would still thin a position group tasked with containing Jacksonville’s balanced offense.

Tennessee’s margin for error has been slim all season, and any personnel disruption—no matter how small—adds a layer of challenge as the franchise tries to end a six-game losing streak. Sunday’s matchup serves as another test for a team aiming to show progress despite a difficult record.

1. Williams’ Role and Decline in Production

Williams has appeared in 10 of Tennessee’s 11 games this year, providing depth behind a linebacker group that has undergone multiple changes. While he played a more prominent role during his rookie campaign, his involvement and production have dipped in his second season. This year, he has recorded only four solo tackles. The drop-off is noticeable when compared to his 2023 output, which included 26 combined tackles, 17 of them solo, along with a fumble recovery. Coaches have attributed part of the diminished production to scheme adjustments and the emergence of other young defenders competing for snaps. Still, Williams’ versatility has kept him involved on special teams and situational defensive alignments. His availability remains valuable even in a reduced role. With Tennessee frequently deploying varied front-seven looks, having depth at inside linebacker allows the defensive staff to rotate players, control matchups and preserve energy across long drives. Losing a rotational piece complicates those efforts, particularly against a Jaguars offense that incorporates both power run elements and spread formations. While Williams’ illness may prove temporary, the timing is less than ideal. Tennessee is already leaning on youth in several defensive spots, and subtracting another option—however modest—limits flexibility in a game where containing Jacksonville’s playmakers will be crucial.

2. Titans’ Competitive Effort Despite Losing Streak

Although the Titans’ record shows six straight losses, their recent performances have been far more competitive than the standings suggest. Over their last three games, Tennessee has lost by only one possession each time, showing improved discipline and more consistent execution on both sides of the ball. Those narrow defeats came against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks—three teams featuring dynamic offenses. Tennessee’s defense, while still inconsistent, has demonstrated resilience by limiting explosive plays and generating pressure in critical situations. The improvements have offered glimpses of progress during an otherwise challenging season. The offense has also shown signs of life, highlighted by rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s breakout performance against Seattle. His mobility and confidence in the pocket contributed to one of Tennessee’s more balanced offensive outings of the year. While the development curve for the rookie remains steep, the Titans view his growth as a key component of their long-term trajectory. These modest steps forward have not translated into wins, but they have injected a sense of competitiveness back into the locker room. Even with playoff hopes out of reach, Tennessee remains intent on finding rhythm and establishing building blocks for the future.

3. Spoiler Potential Down the Stretch

With six games remaining, the Titans now shift toward a role that many struggling teams embrace late in the year: spoiler. Tennessee will face several opponents fighting for playoff positioning, making each performance an opportunity to disrupt postseason paths across the AFC. That effort begins this weekend against the Jaguars, a team engaged in a tight race atop the division. Jacksonville has been inconsistent at times but possesses an offense capable of capitalizing on defensive lapses. Tennessee will need discipline and depth at all levels, heightening the importance of every active player—including those in rotational roles such as Williams. For the Titans, these matchups serve as more than opportunities to disrupt rivals. They also provide meaningful evaluation windows for young players adjusting to the pace and physicality of the NFL. Coaching decisions, player development and late-season consistency often lay the foundation for offseason planning. Whether or not Williams is available, Tennessee approaches Week 13 with a chance to continue its recent competitive trend. As the franchise works toward future improvement, each remaining game becomes a step in establishing identity and stability.