Zac

Diles

Diles worked out for the Titans back in February. A 30-game starter for the Texans from 2008-2010, the injury-plagued Diles appeared in just four games as a special teamer with the Colts last year. He’s purely a backup at this point.

Diles played in a similar scheme with Tampa Bay and will add special teams value in Indianapolis. He has experience at all three linebacker positions.

A former Texans starter, Diles was active just seven times this season, making one tackle after being picked up off the Rams’ scrap heap. Known as a run defender, it doesn’t bode well for Diles’ future that he was cut by two teams with terrible run defenses. Still only 26, he has time to revive his career.

Diles was waived by the Colts this week and appeared in four games on special teams. Divens, 26, failed his physical with the Ravens in training camp and hasn’t played in the NFL since 2010.

Diles, a former starter in Houston, was claimed off waivers from the Bucs in early December, recording two tackles in four games as a special teamer. Thomas battled back injuries on top of a four-game suspension last season.

Diles had taken over as Tennessee’s starting middle linebacker during Colin McCarthy’s recovery from a recurring high ankle sprain. McCarthy is expected to return in Week 8 against the Colts, so the Titans shouldn’t feel Diles’ loss other than from a depth perspective.

Diles tried to tackle C.J. Spiller in the open field and got his ankle shook. The Titans are really thin at linebacker now with Colin McCarthy (ankle) inactive.

Diles, 28 in June, spent his first four years with the Texans, but he has bounced around since. He’s been with the Rams, Bucs, Colts, and Titans over the last two seasons. Diles made 11 tackles for Tennessee before breaking his leg in Week 7 last season. The Chiefs have a hole at the inside linebacker position next to Derrick Johnson. Diles could compete to fill it.

Coach Andy Reid often overrated Jordan’s ability in Philadelphia, and it appears he’s ready to do the same in Kansas City. The 6'1/230 former undrafted free agent is a little undersized to play inside next to Derrick Johnson and is best served as a situational role player. Zac Diles and Cory Greenwood should also get a chance to run with the starters.

We wish we could say we’re surprised, but just look at the guy. Cushing will sit against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas, and Oakland. To compensate, the Texans figure to move weak-side starter Zach Diles to “SAM” for the first month of the season, with Xavier Adibi joining the lineup. Houston’s run defense is likely to take a hit. Cushing was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009, helping the Texans to field the NFL’s No. 13 overall defense.