Titans Sign Rod Hood, Edison Released

Staff Report October 15, 2009

The Titans signed defensive back Roderick Hood Thursday to add depth to a depleted secondary.

To make room for Hood, the Titans released rookie wide receiver Dominique Edison.

Fisher said the move would allow the Titans to have some extra depth at cornerback while starter Nick Harper continues to recover from a broken arm.

"With Nick [Harper] going down for an indefinite period of time we needed to add some help to the secondary," Fisher said. "So we brought him [Hood] in just to provide some help for us. He is an experienced, veteran corner that can help."

Harper suffered a broken forearm last week against Indianapolis and nickelback Vincent Fuller is recovering from the same injury suffered on September 27. Both are out for Sunday's game at New England, while cornerback Cortland Finnegan remains questionable with a hamstring injury.

Fuller participated in both Wednesday and Thursday's practices, continuing to avoid contact to his injured arm. However, Finnegan remained sidelined along with starting safety Michael Griffin. Griffin has been recovering from a sore neck. Rookie cornerbacks Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton took the bulk of the repetitions with the first team defense in Thursday's practice. Safety Donnie Nickey filled in for Griffin. Hood also practiced Thursday, contributing heavily to the scout team defense.

Hood, a cornerback who played with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, spent this past preseason with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears.

The Titans brought Hood in at the end of last month for a work out and physical. Fisher said the coaching staff liked what they saw in the former Auburn Tiger.

"Several weeks ago we worked out a bunch of DB's and were very pleased with Roderick's workout," Fisher said.

Hood said he was happy about the opportunity to play for the Titans but getting up to speed with the new playbook was his main focus right now.

"It's challenging," Hood said. "But at the same time, being a player for a long time, you can understand. The terminology is different, but the concepts and schemes are pretty much the same."

Fisher said it was hard to speculate whether or not Hood would play Sunday or even be a part of the active roster when the Titans travel to take on the Patriots.

"It really is heavily dependent on how quickly we heal up," Fisher said.

Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse injured his knee in Thursday's practice and did not return to action. Offensive lineman Jake Scott returned to practice after missing Wednesday due to illness.