FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. The Tennessee Titans’ gamble on former Arkansas Razorback wide receiver Treylon Burks ended not with a bang, but a sigh.
On Monday, after a weekend practice injury left the third-year wide receiver with a fractured collarbone, the team waived the former first-round pick, signaling the end of a once-promising partnership that never quite found its stride.
Burks, a native of Warren, Ark., suffered the injury during a diving attempt at a deep ball in the end zone at Titans training camp, according to multiple reports. The moment was abrupt, but the sense of finality had been building for months.
Injuries had become a refrain in Burks’ career: a torn ACL in October 2023, recurring concussions, and a persistent struggle to stay on the field defined his time in Tennessee.
The Titans’ decision was as much about the future as it was about the past. With new additions like Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett reshaping the wide receiver room, Burks, once drafted in 2022 to help fill the void left by A.J. Brown’s departure, had slipped down the depth chart, fighting for a roster spot before his latest setback.
As general manager Ran Carthon noted in a statement, “This is a tough business and an unfortunate situation. We wish Treylon the best as he recovers.”
When Burks arrived out of Arkansas as the 18th overall pick, expectations were high. His blend of size, speed, and production in the SEC led many to believe he could be a game-changer for a franchise in transition.
In his rookie season, Burks flashed potential, racking up 444 receiving yards in 11 games. But that momentum faltered as injuries mounted, and consistency remained elusive.
Burks’ journey was already complicated by health concerns. He battled turf toe as a rookie, missed games with a concussion, and suffered a torn ACL that sidelined him for most of the 2023 season. By the time he returned to training camp this summer, his place in the Titans’ plans was precarious.
The fractured collarbone—sustained while trying to make a one-handed catch—was the final blow. As is customary, Burks was waived/injured, meaning he will revert to the Titans’ injured reserve list if unclaimed by another team.
In that case, he and the Titans could reach an injury settlement, allowing him to seek opportunities elsewhere once healthy.
Reaction to the move was swift and, in some corners, sympathetic.
“It’s tough to see a young guy with so much promise go through this,” Titans veteran receiver Tyler Lockett told local reporters. “He worked hard every day. The injuries just kept piling up.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, “Sometimes, a fresh start is what a player needs. Burks still has tools that teams covet. It’s just a matter of getting healthy and finding the right fit.”
The Titans, meanwhile, are forging ahead. With Ridley and Lockett leading the receiving corps, and prospects like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike vying for snaps, the team’s focus has shifted to building chemistry for a new-look offense.
As for Burks, his future in the NFL remains uncertain. Players waived/injured rarely generate immediate interest unless their injury is minor, but Burks is young enough to attract attention once healthy.
His skill set, a blend of size, catch radius, and run-after-catch ability—could entice a team willing to wait out his recovery.
“Burks has shown flashes,” said ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “He’ll get another shot if he can show he’s healthy.”
The saga of Burks is a reminder of the unforgiving nature of professional football, where talent alone doesn’t guarantee longevity.
Burks, for his part, will have to wait and heal. Whether his NFL story continues in Tennessee or elsewhere, he’ll need both time and luck to fulfill the promise that made him a first-round pick just three years ago.
“I want to thank the Titans organization and the fans for believing in me,” Burks said in a statement released by his agent. “I’ll be back. It’s just a matter of when.”
