Robert Saleh plans bigger role for Alontae Taylor as Titans weigh Dorian Mausi’s return against Browns

Alontae Taylor is headed back into the Tennessee Titans’ defensive plans. Coach Robert Saleh said on Friday that the cornerback, an inactive last week, should help at both nickel and outside corner for the rest of the season.

Saleh’s explanation was about more than a depth chart. What he wanted most, he said, was to see Taylor’s energy return and to get him “back to who we know he is.” He described Taylor as a high-energy, emotional and very talented player who had attacked his work all week.

The nickel job Taylor is learning is not a typical one. Saleh noted that Tennessee’s slot defender plays a lot of man coverage and carries responsibilities closer to a linebacker’s than most nickels around the league, and he said Taylor himself recognises the difference. Saleh was also careful to add that Taylor is not being moved inside for good: he can still play corner, and the coach praised what he has done there.

Live Press Conference: 10:45 AM CT: HC Robert Saleh https://t.co/VktKRHyipl

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 23, 2026

Mausi pushes to come back

Linebacker Dorian Mausi practiced again on Friday after the Titans opened his return window from injured reserve earlier in the week, and he is listed as questionable. He would have to be activated before kickoff to play. Saleh said Mausi looked good and was itching to return, joking that if you asked the linebacker, he would have been back two weeks ago.

The rest of the injury report is mixed. Receiver Calvin Ridley (hip) did not practice on Friday and is questionable. Safeties Tony Adams (ankle) and Kevin Winston (quad) and running back Tyjae Spears are also questionable, while defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and running back Tony Pollard are cleared to play after rest days.

Building on the first win

Tennessee is 1-5 after beating the Indianapolis Colts 26-20 last Sunday for its first victory. The return game helped: Chimere Dike broke a 58-yard return in that game and had another long one called back by a penalty. Dike said this week that he wants the return unit to keep giving the team a spark, and that the big plays come from staying patient through the short gains.

What comes next

The Titans and Browns kick off at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 25. Follow it in the Game Center. Tennessee then visits the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, November 1. More on the club is on the Titans team page.