Titans release defensive tackle Jordan Elliott after practice confrontation involving gun

The Tennessee Titans released veteran defensive tackle Jordan Elliott after an altercation at practice escalated into an incident where Elliott attempted to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle, according to multiple media reports.

The franchise announced on Tuesday, Oct. 20, that it had cut Elliott following what the team vaguely described as an undisclosed incident on Oct. 15 at the team training complex. In its public statement, the organization noted that after conducting a review, team officials chose to terminate his contract and declined further comment. Team representatives would not address reports regarding a weapon, The Tennessean reported.

Dispute on the practice field

The confrontation began during Thursday practice between Elliott and offensive tackle JC Latham, according to reporting by Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. The coaching staff directed Elliott to leave the field following the scuffle. Elliott reportedly took off his pads on the sideline and exited the Vanderbilt Health Football Center.

According to Wilson, security cameras recorded Elliott walking to his vehicle in the players’ parking lot to retrieve a firearm, reportedly intending to confront Latham. Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers followed Elliott outside and intervened, successfully talking him down and diffusing the confrontation, Wilson reported.

NFL Network reported that the firearm never left the parking area. League regulations strictly prohibit players and team personnel from possessing firearms at club facilities or league events.

The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed that no incident report was filed regarding the confrontation, according to reports by The Tennessean and A to Z Sports. Representatives for Elliott, Latham and Franklin-Myers did not respond to requests for comment from The Tennessean.

Personal strain carried over to work

People familiar with the situation indicated that Elliott had been struggling with difficult off-field circumstances prior to the practice blowup. A league source told Wilson that Elliott had been experiencing personal and family challenges away from football that ultimately surfaced at work.

Elliott participated in workouts early last week before the Titans listed him on their Oct. 16 injury report as absent due to non-injury personal reasons. Titans coach Robert Saleh told reporters late last week that Elliott was navigating personal matters. The team subsequently designated Elliott inactive for its game on Oct. 18, when Tennessee defeated the Indianapolis Colts 26-20 to earn its first victory of the season.

Public records obtained by The Tennessean show that the 28-year-old lineman has no prior criminal history involving firearms.

Roster move cuts short two-year contract

Elliott joined Tennessee during the offseason on a two-year contract worth $8 million, reuniting with Saleh after playing for him in 2025 when Saleh served as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Across five games this season, Elliott posted 11 total tackles while serving primarily as a run-stopping interior lineman.

Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2020 draft out of Missouri, Elliott spent four seasons in Cleveland and two in San Francisco before signing with Tennessee. Over his seven-year career, he has appeared in 102 regular-season contests with 65 starts.

Saleh is scheduled to address reporters during his regular press briefing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, as questions remain about Elliott’s future in professional football following the release.