Titans LB Jack Gibbens out for season after ankle surgery

Tennessee linebacker Jack Gibbens had season-ending surgery on the right ankle he injured in Sunday’s home loss to the Minnesota Vikings and will be placed on injured reserve, Titans coach Brian Callahan said Monday.

Gibbens was injured in the third quarter when the Vikings running back Aaron Jones fumbled, with the Titans recovering the ball. Minnesota offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury blocked Gibbens to the ground on the play. Gibbens’ lower leg was put in an air cast and he was carted off the field.

Gibbens, who turns 26 next Sunday, started five of 10 games this season and had 44 tackles, 0.5 sacks and two tackles for loss. He led the Titans in tackles with 14 in an overtime victory over New England on Nov. 3 and had a career-high 15 in a 27-17 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 10.

He didn’t record a tackle on Sunday in the 23-13 loss to the Vikings.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Gibbens has 167 career tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception and five tackles for loss in 29 games (20 starts).

Callahan said on Monday that veteran linebacker Jerome Baker, who had eight tackles against the Vikings, and rookies Cedric Gray and James Williams could see more playing time in Gibbens’ absence.

“You can manage those guys,” Callahan said. “I think there’s some opportunities there for sure.”