Cameron

Wake

“As Cam’s agent, I can tell you this is simply not true,” Paul Sheehy posted on Twitter. “Cameron is playing this season and we are actively engaged in conversations with teams.” WEEI’s Courtney Fallon posted Saturday evening that Wake was expected to hang it up. Although he is now 38 and ended last season on injured reserve, Wake remained a valuable situational pass rusher before getting hurt. Perhaps the current coronavirus-related slowdown will hurt Wake’s market — teams are going to be leery of signing him without an in-house physical — but if he wants to play in 2020, he should be able to.

Wake spent last year in a reserve role with the Titans before landing on IR. Despite not starting his career until age-27, Wake will finish with 100.5 sacks and 22 forced fumbles over 11 seasons if he retires. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro probably isn’t a Hall-of-Famer but should find a place on the Dolphins’ Ring of Honor.

The move creates $5.6 million in cap space while leaving behind a modest $2.7 million in dead money. Now 38, Wake has said he wants to continue his playing career after ending last season on injured reserve. Wake remained effective on a per-snap basis in 2019. He will undoubtedly get a situational pass rusher/leadership flier in free agency.

“I don’t have any plans of giving it up,” Wake, said. “As long as there is a mutual desire from myself and the organization obviously as well, I’d look forward (to playing here again).” Wake is under contract for the next two seasons, though his 2020 salary kicks up to $5.5 million from $3.25 million. That’s too steep after Wake notched just 2.5 sacks in nine games. PFF did grade Wake as still being highly effective on a per-snap basis. He should be able to make someone’s 53-man roster.

Wake was injured late in Sunday’s blowout win over the Jaguars. As of Tuesday afternoon, the 37-year-old’s injury is undisclosed. Wake missed two games earlier this year with a hamstring issue. The Titans had been severely rationing Wake’s snaps, giving him just 195. He responded with 2.5 quarterback takedowns and excellent PFF grades. Wake is a big stretch-run loss but hardly crippling considering the limited nature of his role. Two months shy of his 38th birthday, there is a chance Wake calls it quits in the offseason.

Wake (hamstring) was ruled out earlier this week. This will be his second absence in a row. Dickerson and Stinnie are both healthy scratches.

The 37-year-old DE racked up 11 pressures on just 79 snaps in Weeks 1-4 before suffering this hamstring injury. Wake’s absence is great news for Joe Flacco and company.

Wake was never likely to play after missing practice all week. It’s a blow to the Titans pass rush and an upgrade to Josh Allen’s matchup. Hamstring injuries can linger, so Wake isn’t a lock to return in Week 6. Also inactive for Tennesse are OT Kevin Pamphile, OG Aaron Stinnie, C Hroniss Grasu, DE Brent Urban, CB Tye Smith, and OL David Quessenberry.

Wake was harassing Baker Mayfield all afternoon in the Titans’ upset blowout win over the Browns. In the process, Wake was destroying RT Chris Hubbard before then going to work on fill-in RT Justin McCray. In all, Wake finished the day with 2.5 sacks and five combined hits and hurries on Mayfield. Already 37 years old, Wake looks like he could do this forever.

Considering Wake just turned 37, it is unlikely he actually sees all three years of the deal, but it does include $10 million guaranteed. Wake is not a long-term fix for the Titans’ pass-rushing issues, but he remains an excellent rusher who should more than adequately fill the hole opposite Harold Landry in the short term. Even with Wake on board, it would not be surprising if the Titans selected a pass rusher early in the draft.