Wesley

Woodyard

Woodyard suffered a quad injury in Week 2 and could not cleared on the short week. Woodyard is not starting this season for the first time since 2011.

Woodyard had been sidelined Week 4. His return is an upgrade across the board for Tennessee’s defense. The Titans inactives are OG Quinton Spain, S Kenny Vaccaro, LB Derrick Morgan, LB Will Compton, OT Tyler Marz, DL Matt Dickerson, and DB Kenneth Durden.

Woodyard has been out since Week 4. Vrabel said Woodyard was close to playing against the Ravens, so his confidence is not a surprise. Jayon Brown has played pretty well in Woodyard’s place.

Jayon Brown will make his second consecutive start for Tennessee’s vivacious young defense. Woodyard’s ailing shoulder wasn’t initially thought to be concerning, but it’s now rendered him absent for two games. The Ravens have no significant inactives to report on the other side of the ball.

Coach Mike Vrabel didn’t sound too concerned, but it appears Woodyard could at least miss Week 5. Jayon Brown is the next man up for the Titans’ upstart defense.

It appeared as if Woodyard was being evaluated for a concussion after taking a big hit early in the game, but he was announced with a stinger. He has been on the sidelines in a baseball hat during the second half. Jayon Brown replaced him.

Williams’ return should send Wesley Woodyard back to a subpackage role on third downs. Williams led the Broncos in both tackles and sacks in 2010, though his presence is far from prohibitive for James Starks and Aaron Rodgers this week.

Woodyard, who turns 26 before the season, piled up career highs in tackles (97), starts (7), and forced fumbles (2) last year, replacing MLB Joe Mays in Denver’s nickel packages and making spot starts at weak-side ‘backer. Woodyard’s role won’t be as big in 2012, but he can cover and make plays on special teams. The 97 tackles don’t include ten more in kick and punt coverage.

Previously the Broncos’ nickel linebacker and special teams captain, Woodyard took on a bigger role in 2011, cruising to a new career high in tackles (97). The Post also expects DT Brodrick Bunkley and K Matt Prater to be priorities amongst the Broncos’ own free agents.

DB Rafael Bush, DB Cassius Vaughn, RB Quinn Johnson, OG Manny Ramirez, OG Tony Hills, and DL Derrick Harvey join him on the inactive list.