The Tennessee Titans have had one of the worst left tackle situations in the NFL this season with a rotating trio of Andre Dillard, Nicholas Petit-Frere, and Dillon Radunz. All three have struggled at the spot and with injuries now adding in, we will see the sixth-round rookie out of Maryland, Jaelyn Duncan, get a shot to start.

Petit-Frere is on injured reserve and starting right tackle Chris Hubbard has been ruled out after suffering a biceps injury last week. Radunz, who played left tackle in Week 11, will now move to the right side.

That left Dillard, who returned to practice this week after suffering a concussion in Week 10, and Duncan as the two options battling it out for the starting left tackle spot. The expectation was Dillard would retake the starting spot he started the season with.

That was not the case, though, as head coach Mike Vrabel announced at practice on Friday that Duncan would indeed get the nod as the starter. Duncan had not had an extended opportunity until Hubbard’s injury last week, combined with Dillard’s absence, allowed Duncan to play 25 snaps at right tackle.

Duncan did well with the opportunity, giving up zero pressures or sacks in pass protection and having some successful moments in run blocking. Duncan was far from perfect, but it is fair to consider his play inspiring.

Duncan was considered a top-100 pick by most coming into the draft, but fell to day three of the process, where the Titans scooped him up. Duncan has all the athletic tools needed to be a starting lineman but needs development with his technique.

There were also some questions about Duncan’s mentality. Some scouting reports questioned his motivation and finish, while ESPN’s Todd McShay openly questioned his love for the game on draft weekend.

Duncan has seemingly put some of those concerns to bed as one would imagine those concerns would not allow a player to last long under Mike Vrabel. The left tackle spot has been a disaster for more than just this season as well, so the Titans are hoping the optimism around Jaelyn Duncan continues after Sunday’s performance.

The Tennessee Titans will once again have another starting left tackle as head coach Mike Vrabel announced on Friday that sixth-round rookie Jaelyn Duncan would get a chance to man the position in Week 12.