NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With each waiver claim the Tennessee Titans submit, a corresponding roster move is attached.
If they are awarded a player with their claim, the attached cut is executed and the roster remains at 53.
The most susceptible player is center Steve Vallos. He’s the third center behind starter Brian Schwenke and Chris Spencer and he’s still around as insurance as Spencer recovers from an ankle injury that cost him most of the preseason.
We can look at Vallos’s presence in two ways:
If the Titans believed they needed insurance for Spencer on Saturday, they’ll still need insurance for Spencer on Sunday and Monday and probably through the practice week. While Vallos is probably the 53rd guy on the roster, they might feel the need to stick with him for a while as they gauge Spencer. (Vallos is scheduled to make $730,000 this season, but only counts $570,000 against the cap.)
Keeping a player for an extra day decreases the chance he gets picked up elsewhere. Teams have sorted through the names that have come free and have done what they need to do to try to bring in the ones they want. Vallos is in his seventh season. He would be a free agent when cut and would not have to pass through waivers. But a center-needy team might address the need in today’s moves and then be less likely to change course again Monday. That means he might remain available if the Titans need him again.
I think the next two players at risk are receiver Derek Hagan and linebacker/special-teamer Patrick Bailey.
The Titans should be able to find upgrades at both those spots.
