NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans will be without multiple starters against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate (shoulder), left guard Peter Skoronski (hamstring), punter Tommy Townsend (left knee), along with linebackers Cody Barton (concussion) and Anthony Hill Jr. (neck), were ruled out by coach Robert Saleh before practice Friday.
Tate is the reigning AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month after posting 21 receptions for 290 yards and a touchdown across four games in October. The shoulder injury occurred during Tennessee's 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 7 and caused him to miss the following game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tate's 413 receiving yards led all rookie pass catchers entering Week 9. The Titans were optimistic Tate would return after the bye week, but the shoulder "stuck on him a little bit," according to Saleh.
Second-year receiver Chimere Dike will get a chance to step up in Tate's absence. Dike logged a season-high 58 snaps with Tate out. He responded with five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.
"It's a new opportunity," Dike said. "Obviously, it's a naturally increased role with Tate being out. But my mindset's not that much different. Make the most of your opportunities and do whatever you can to help the team win."
Skoronski injured a hamstring in the fourth quarter against the Bengals before the bye week. He was carted from the sideline into the locker room and missed practice all week. Reserve offensive lineman James Hudson III played 30 snaps in Skoronski's place. Hudson is expected to get the start against Jacksonville, but Saleh said it will be a game-time decision.
Hill leads the Titans with 82 tackles and was named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. This will be his first time missing a game after injuring his neck in Week 8. Barton suffered a concussion in the same game, opening the door for Cedric Gray to see an increased role. Gray was a starter during training camp but suffered a concussion in a UTV accident during Labor Day weekend that made him unavailable for the season opener and relegated him to a reserve role.
"It's something I've been looking forward to all year," Gray said Friday. "It's a long season, things happen, so I kind of knew that at some point my name would be called again. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to get out there, play a full game on defense and show what I can do."
Townsend will miss his second consecutive game after injuring the knee when the Browns blocked his punt before halftime in Week 7. The Titans signed veteran punter Thomas Morstead to the practice squad to fill in for Townsend. Morstead will get the game-day elevation from the practice squad this week.