Jeffery Simmons Ejected from Titans Practice Following Punch at JC Latham

All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was sent to a side field Tuesday after throwing a punch at rookie tackle JC Latham during team drills.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was removed from the Tennessee Titans' primary practice field Tuesday morning after throwing a punch during a team drill. First-year head coach Brian Callahan halted the session to address the roster after Simmons swung at right tackle JC Latham following an initial scuffle with center Austin Schlottman. The ejection follows a 2023 season where Tennessee finished 6-11 while accumulating 1,011 penalty yards. Latham, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, stood his ground against the veteran defender, who signed a four-year, $94 million contract extension in 2023. Simmons ranked second on the roster last year with 12 total infractions, contributing to a defensive unit that allowed 335.1 yards per game.

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Coach Brian Callahan implemented a strict disciplinary standard during the Tuesday morning session, stating that any player who throws a strike is immediately disqualified from the remainder of the workout. Rather than returning to the locker room, the two-time Pro Bowler was relegated to a side field where he completed his scheduled conditioning reps under the supervision of a strength coach. This ensured the defensive tackle met his projected physical workload despite the removal from competitive team periods. Callahan emphasized that the team's internal policy mirrors NFL game regulations, where a closed-fist swing results in an automatic ejection from the contest and potential league-mandated fines.

Tuesday's incident marked the second consecutive day of physical confrontations for the Titans' defensive front during the first week of padded sessions. On Monday, the initial day players wore full equipment, Simmons was involved in a brief tussle during 11-on-11 periods. The escalation on Tuesday required intervention from assistant defensive line coach Tanzel Smart, who physically took the 305-pound Simmons down to the grass to separate him from the scrum involving Latham and Schlottman. Callahan noted that while he expects both the offensive and defensive lines to play with a competitive edge, they must remain disciplined enough to avoid giving opponents free yardage through unnecessary roughness calls.

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Addressing the team on the field, the head coach reminded his players to focus on working through the second padded session rather than engaging in extracurricular activities. The Titans are looking to improve upon a season defined by 95 total penalties accepted against them. The coaching staff described their philosophy as "toeing the line" of aggression, even labeling it instigation, provided the players return to the huddle without drawing flags. By relocating the star defender to the secondary field, the staff maintained the practice rhythm while holding the veteran accountable for the physical outburst against his teammates.

Simmons, who recorded 5.5 sacks and 44 tackles across 12 games in 2023, is a central figure in a defense transitioning under new coordinator Dennard Wilson. The unit is attempting to lower its defensive scoring average from 21.6 points allowed per game. Latham, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 342 pounds, is tasked with protecting the blind side of second-year quarterback Will Levis, who suffered 28 sacks during his rookie campaign. The intensity of the drill reflected the high stakes for a revamped offensive line that allowed a total of 64 sacks last season, the fourth-highest mark in the league.

During the post-practice press conference, Callahan reiterated that the rule applies to every member of the 90-man roster, regardless of depth chart status or salary. The Titans' front office invested heavily in the trenches during the offseason, including the signing of center Lloyd Cushenberry to a $50 million deal. Maintaining chemistry between these high-priced assets is a priority for the new regime. The session concluded with the remaining defensive starters finishing the two-minute drill without further interruptions, while Simmons remained 50 yards away performing lateral agility drills.