Tennessee Titans Make Bold Defensive Moves on Waiver Wire, Adding Four While Making One Surprising Cut

It’s that frantic, often brutal time of year in the NFL. Rosters have been trimmed to the league-mandated 53, and general managers across the country are scrambling, desperately sifting through the waiver wire to find those hidden gems, the players who just didn't quite fit another team's puzzle but might be perfect for theirs. And on August 31, 2026, the Tennessee Titans, under the keen eye of head coach Robert Saleh, certainly didn't sit still. They made a significant splash, adding no fewer than four new defensive players to their ranks, a clear signal of their intent. But, as is always the case in this cutthroat business, for every player welcomed aboard, another has to make way, and one particular departure raised a few eyebrows.

So, who are these new faces hoping to make an impact in Nashville? Let's dive into the fresh talent Saleh and his staff have brought in, and then, of course, address the surprising exit.

First up, we have Owen Pappoe, a linebacker claimed from the Arizona Cardinals. Pappoe isn't just any pickup; he’s been a real force on special teams over the last three seasons in Arizona, even leading their unit in snaps during the 2024-25 campaign. Talk about making your presence felt! He's got a knack for big plays too, forcing a fumble in 2024 while racking up 28 tackles, and he even managed to force another one in the 2026 preseason. This guy clearly knows how to disrupt things, and the Titans will surely be looking to leverage that energy.

Then there’s Nazir Stackhouse, a defensive tackle plucked from the Green Bay Packers. Stackhouse is heading into only his second NFL season, and while his rookie year might have been a bit uneventful, he’s got that coveted Georgia Bulldog pedigree. He recorded 12 total tackles in 13 appearances in 2025 – not bad for an undrafted free agent who actually made Green Bay's initial 53-man roster. The Packers probably hoped to stash him on their practice squad, but the Titans swooped in. For Tennessee, he looks like a solid developmental piece at nose tackle, a powerful young man ready to learn and grow.

Moving to the secondary, the Titans also secured Melvin Smith Jr., a cornerback from the Kansas City Chiefs. Entering his second season, Smith Jr. showed some real promise during the Chiefs’ training camp, making solid progress as a backup. Unfortunately, he sustained a rib injury in Kansas City’s final preseason game just last Friday, August 28. It’s a tough break, but for the Titans, he could be a fantastic high-upside Injured Reserve (IR) stash. Who knows? Once healthy, he might just be a steal, still awaiting his first regular season NFL game.

Last but certainly not least among the new defensive recruits is Terrell Burgess, a safety joining us from the New Orleans Saints. And honestly, this is the most experienced pickup of the bunch, with Burgess bringing five years of NFL wisdom to the table. Last season with the Saints, he played in 16 games, tallying 22 total tackles and defending three passes. Mike Garafolo was quick to report this move, and it makes sense; Burgess was a player the Saints likely expected to keep around. His veteran presence could be invaluable in a potentially younger Titans secondary.

But of course, for every addition, there’s a necessary, often difficult, subtraction. And the Titans’ surprising cut? That would be linebacker Mohamoud Diabate. It's always a tough pill to swallow when a player who seemed to have a decent shot is released, but these are the hard choices teams face when navigating the waiver process. While Diabate’s release might catch some off guard, it’s a clear indication of how highly Saleh and the Titans staff view the potential of their new defensive acquisitions.

These moves paint a vivid picture of a team actively working to sculpt its defensive identity. Saleh, known for his defensive prowess, is clearly wasting no time putting his stamp on the Titans’ roster. These four defenders represent a mix of immediate special teams impact, promising developmental talent, high-upside injury stashes, and experienced depth. It’s an exciting time, really, to see how these new pieces will integrate and contribute to the Tennessee Titans' ambitions this season. More details are sure to emerge, but for now, the message is clear: the Titans are ready to play some defense!