Titans release Jordan Elliott after gun incident at team facility; coach calls it a lapse

The Tennessee Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott after an incident at the team's facility on Oct. 15, the team announced on Tuesday. In a statement, the Titans said: "On Thursday, Oct. 15, there was an incident at our team facility involving Jordan Elliott. Following our review of the incident, we have made the decision to release Elliott from our roster. We will have no further comment on the matter." The statement did not describe the incident. [ 4 , 5 , 7 ]

On Wednesday, Titans coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Elliott was released after pulling a gun in the parking lot of the team facility. He called it a "terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act." Saleh said: "Unfortunately, rules are rules with regard to guns on property." He also said of Elliott: "He's a good man" and "He's never committed a crime in his entire life and he pulled a gun, in the parking lot," according to The Guardian. NBC News reported that Saleh hopes Elliott can sign with another team and that he would vouch for his character. [ 5 , 7 ]

A person briefed on the incident told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Elliott had a gun in his car and went to the parking lot to retrieve it after a dispute with another player, believed to be right tackle JC Latham. The Guardian reported that Titans defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is said to have helped deescalate the situation. Latham said he did not have much to say, that there was no bad blood between the two, and that they had never argued before. [ 5 ]

NBC News reported that Nashville police were not called and did not respond to the scene. The NFL said its firearm policy prohibits any personnel from bringing a firearm to club facilities, stadiums, team hotels, and team planes or buses. It added that the club promptly notified the league and that the matter is under review. Union officials and Elliott's agent could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, NBC News said. [ 7 ]

Elliott had played in the Titans' first five games this season, with one start and 11 tackles. Newsweek reported that he missed Friday's practice for personal reasons, and he was then listed as inactive for Sunday's 26-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans' first win of the season. He had signed with the Titans in March after two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, where Saleh was defensive coordinator, and four earlier seasons with the Cleveland Browns. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]