Treylon

Burks

Burks had been splitting time to DeAndre Hopkins through the season’s first six weeks, potentially paving the way for Hopkins to increase his route participation rate. That is, as long as his knee cooperates. Burks will now miss the next four games, at minimum, after injuring his knee in the team’s Week 6 loss to the Colts.

Head coach Brian Callahan told reporters Burks could be placed on injured reserve. Burks has yet to come close to a healthy season in the NFL and that won’t change in his third year as a Titan. He hasn’t been productive in the current iteration of the Titans offense, but he has been splitting routes with DeAndre Hopkins. With Burks out of the lineup, Hopkins won’t be limited by a modest route rate going forward. He is capped at a WR3 fantasy ranking based on Will Levis’s poor play.

Burks’ missed connection was a horrendous drop. Will Levis was the Titans’ biggest problem this afternoon, but Burks isn’t going to be part of the solution any time soon.

Hopkins has been limited in practices, so it’s not a surprise that the 32-year-old is given the questionable tag; especially for the first game of the season. If Hopkins can go he’s a WR4/FLEX option against the Chicago defense. If he cannot, it should lead to more targets for Tyler Boyd and possibly Treylon Burks.

Burks started in DeAndre Hopkins’ stead but failed to earn a target during the first-team offense’s two drives. He is a pure backup at this point.

Burks reportedly suffered a bruised hip in Wednesday’s practice but was back on the field the next day. Head coach Brian Callahan said Burks was “fine” after practice, suggesting there’s nothing to worry about at this time. Burks is battling for a role alongside DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley, who will handle the majority of the Titans’ wide receiver snaps this season. He has just one catch in his lone preseason appearance.

The third-year wideout has dealt with his fair share of injuries, so fans will hold their breath awaiting a further update on Burks’ early practice exit. He reportedly landed hard after nearly making a one-handed grab on a Will Levis fade. The incident occurred at the end of practice, so Burks’ day was over anyways and the there was no update on his status afterwards. DeAndre Hopkins has been out with a knee injury, but between him and Calvin Ridley, Burks is going to have a harder time earning targets this season. In 22 career games, he has 49 receptions for 655 and one touchdown. Burks does not need to be rostered in redraft leagues as of now.

The report comes from ESPN’s Turron Davenport. Hopkins will return in time for a showdown against the Bears’ 2023 second-team All-Pro CB Jaylon Johnson. The positive news comes on the heels of Callahan’s confirmation that former first-round pick Treylon Burks has assumed the role of Hopkins’ backup on the perimeter, rather than competing for slot reps. Hopkins’ buy-low window in drafts is closing while Burks approaches castoff status in dynasty leagues.

Coach Callahan made it a point that Burks will have to find his spots on the field by way of special teams. “If he’s one of those guys on game day, we’re going to have to find a place for him” said Callahan. Burks does have experience as a kick and punt returner during his college days, but Callahan spoke specifically about the gunner role on the punt team (for Burks). With Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd as the Titans’ top three wideouts, Burks has work to do before he returns to the receiving rotation.

According to Callahan, the signing of Tyler Boyd didn’t have anything to do with Burks’ performance, or lack thereof — which he shared with Burks after the signing. Regardless of what Boyd’s signing means for Burks, it’s hard to overlook his familiarity with Callahan’s system and the fact that he’s a veteran who has provided multiple years of high-end production. In addition to Boyd, Burks also has to find a way to earn targets with DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley both on the roster. Burks has dealt with injuries throughout his brief career and has a career receiving line of 49-665-1, spanning over 22 career games. It’s difficult to imagine Burks earning enough opportunities to become fantasy-relevant in 2024, but time will tell as we begin to learn more about how he’s being used in training camp.