The Tennessee Titans continue to look to improve their defense ahead of Robert Saleh’s first season at the helm of the franchise.
Saleh is the defensive playcaller for the Titans, a role he didn’t initially have at the start of his first head coaching tenure with the New York Jets.
With training camp ongoing, the AFC South team continues to make adjustments ahead of the 2026 season.
The Titans recently made a couple of roster moves to reinforce Saleh’s and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense.
Titans Part Ways with LB, Add Another
GettyThe Titans part ways with an undrafted free agent
The Tennessee Titans have announced that they have waived/injury linebacker Shad Banks Jr., who originally joined the team as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 draft.
Banks last played for UTSA in the 2025 collegiate season, recording 94 total tackles (7.5 for loss), 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 pass deflections.
Before making his way to the American Conference, Banks played four seasons at Texas Christian University. In his time with the Horned Frogs, the linebacker produced 114 tackles, 2 sacks, an interception and a pass deflection.
With Shad Banks now potentially off the roster, a player who was waived/injury could return to the team’s injured reserve (IR), the Titans added another linebacker to the room.
Tennessee has signed former Washington Commanders LB Dominique Hampton to the Titans squad during camp.
Hampton, a former fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Washington, has played in just one professional game, being part of six special teams snaps. He has yet to record a tackle in his career.
Before making his way to the league, the linebacker played six collegiate seasons with the Huskies when they were still in the Pac-12. In his time in the NCAAF, Hampton registered 190 total tackles, 2 interceptions and 14 pass deflections.
Adding the former fifth-round selection to the squad isn’t a big deal, as the linebacker will likely be a camp body. But if Dominique Hampton could impress Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley, he could sneak his way onto the 53-man roster.
Titans Linebacker Room Ahead of 2026 Season
GettyThe Titans may likely have their starting linebackers set
As of now, Dominique Hampton is at the bottom of the Tennessee Titans linebacker depth chart.
With just one game under his belt and no defensive snaps, Hampton will have to work extra hard in training camp to earn a spot on the Week 1 roster, either with the Titans or another team.
The Titans drafted Anthony Hill Jr. with the 60th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft and have plugged him into the first team during practice — he is also a frontrunner to wear the green dot his rookie season.
Cody Barton, who is entering the second year of his three-year, $21 million deal, is also in the group. Cedric Gray is turning heads in practice.
As mentioned, Dominique Hampton is at the bottom of the linebacker room and it will be an uphill battle for him to impress during training camp. But if he gets an opportunity, he could show Robert Saleh he can be a valuable, rotational or special team pierce for Tennessee.
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