Titans acquire Desmond King to help secondary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans think defensive back Desmond King can help their defense, and now coach Mike Vrabel says they will have to wait until possibly Saturday at the earliest to see him work in person.

Vrabel said Monday that he and general manager Jon Robinson talked and felt King could come in and help as someone who’s been an effective blitzer. The Titans (5-2) have only seven sacks this season, and only Jacksonville has fewer in the NFL.

Tennessee currently has the NFL’s worst defense on third down and needs help in a banged-up secondary.

The Titans made the move Monday, a day after a 31-20 loss to Cincinnati. It was their second straight loss after winning their first five games. Vrabel said King will be able to take part in Zoom virtual meetings until the defensive back passes through the testing protocols.

Tennessee hosts Chicago (5-3) on Sunday.

The Titans sent a sixth-round pick to the Chargers, according to a person familiar with the details of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the Chargers nor the Titans have discussed the specifics of the trade.

A Jim Thorpe award winner at Iowa, King was an All Pro two years ago as a punt returner but has had issues with inconsistent coverage and on punt returns. He was suspended for the Jacksonville game last year for violation of team rules, and King complained on Twitter after a loss to Kansas City about playing time.

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said Sunday that King was held out of the Chargers’ 31-30 loss to Denver due to a “team issue.”

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