By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

The first major blow of training camp for the Titans isn’t an injury, it’s a suspension. As Paul Kuharsky reported here yesterday, projected starting outside linebacker Arden Key is going to be suspended for the first six games of the season for a violation of league rules against performance-enhancing drugs.

For a team with limited depth on defense in general, but especially at outside linebacker, this is a major blow. Four months ago at the NFL annual meeting in Orlando, Brian Callahan said “I think we still need more” when asked about whether he was happy with his team’s depth at the edge position. Since that time, the Titans' only addition at the position has been Michigan’s Jaylen Harrell, who they selected in the seventh round of the draft, and Kansas State’s Khalid Duke, who they picked up as an undrafted rookie.

Sep 27, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
  Carl Lawson/ © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In that very same statement, Callahan referred to Key as a “proven situational rusher,” suggesting that the Titans may need someone else to step up as an early down option across from Harold Landry.

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