The Tennessee Titans have officially ended their chapter with wide receiver Treylon Burks, waiving him with an injury designation just days after he fractured his collarbone during training camp. This move allows the remaining 31 NFL teams to claim Burks off waivers. If unclaimed, he will revert to the Titans’ injured reserve list. It’s a sudden and disappointing turn for a player once projected as the next face of the Titans’ receiving corps.
High Draft Hopes Fade Amid Team Decline and Ongoing Quarterback Instability in Tennessee
Burks entered the NFL with high expectations after being selected 18th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, a pick acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Titans hoped Burks could immediately fill Brown’s shoes, but that hope never materialized.
His rookie season, in which he posted 444 receiving yards, ended up being his most productive. Over three seasons, he recorded just 53 catches for 699 yards and one touchdown, a far cry from what Tennessee had envisioned.
Treylon Burks (NFL)The Titans’ steady decline during Burks’ tenure didn’t help his development. Once the AFC’s top seed in 2021, the team spiraled downward, finishing last in the NFL by 2024.
Amid constant changes at quarterback, including stints from Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis, Malik Willis, and Mason Rudolph, Burks struggled to establish any consistency. The instability at the most important offensive position likely hindered his ability to progress as a reliable target.
Final Comeback Crushed by Injury as Titans Move On from Former First-Round Pick
Injuries and diminishing opportunities further derailed Burks’ career. After a moderately active rookie season, he found himself increasingly sidelined, with reduced snaps and even a move to special teams in a bid to stay relevant on the roster. A series of health setbacks, including concussions, knee issues in 2023, and a season-ending ACL tear during a 2024 special-teams drill, severely limited his contributions and availability.
Burks entered 2025 with optimism, determined to bounce back and reclaim a meaningful role with the Titans. His rehab from the ACL injury was progressing ahead of schedule, and the receiver publicly expressed his intent to “prove myself right.”
Unfortunately, his latest injury, a fractured collarbone, abruptly ended that comeback bid. With this final setback, the Titans made the difficult but perhaps inevitable decision to move on, officially waiving Burks and closing the book on an unfulfilled promise.
