NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans reshaped their linebacking depth with two waiver claims.
They added Chicago outside linebacker David Bass and Denver inside linebacker Steve Johnson. To make room for the two incomers, the Titans parted ways with Jonathan Massaquoi and Justin Staples.
As soon as Bass is up to speed he could be the Titans' top backup at outside linebacker, where the team has only sixth-rounder Deiontrez Mount behind Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan.
Bass was a seventh-round choice by the Oakland Raiders in 2013 out of Missouri Western State. The Bears claimed him off waivers his rookie year.
Johnson is an inside linebacker, and grows a group where the team only had three -- starters Zach Brown and Avery Williamson and reserve Wesley Woodyard.
Johnson and Woodyard were teammates on the 2013 Denver Broncos, who went to the Super Bowl. Johnson was originally signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas.
Reserve linebackers need to be key special-teamers, and the Titans are certain to look to Bass and Johnson for contributions there.
Perhaps it will turn out to be big like in 2010 when the Titans added Tim Shaw and Patrick Bailey on waivers at the same stage. Those two linebackers had a significant impact on special teams.
