Robert Saleh backs Jordan Elliott after Titans release him over gun incident

Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh defended former defensive tackle Jordan Elliott in Nashville on Wednesday, October 21, after the team released him following a gun-related incident at its facility. Saleh called Elliott’s actions a ‘terrible lapse in judgment’ but said he would vouch for him to other NFL teams. The league is reviewing the incident.

‘I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character,’ Saleh said, according to Yahoo Sports. He described Elliott as a good man and said teams looking for a run-stopping defensive tackle should call him. Saleh’s backing came a day after Tennessee removed Elliott from its roster.

What happened at the Titans’ facility

Elliott had appeared in Tennessee’s first five games of the season, NBC News reported. He was listed as inactive for Sunday’s game for personal reasons unrelated to injury before his release. An earlier NewsJaws report covered the accounts of the practice dispute and his departure from the team.

NFL firearm policy and league review

Saleh acknowledged the rules on guns at team property while urging others to consider Elliott’s character. He described the incident as a call for help rather than a criminal act, according to NBC News. His remarks did not establish why Elliott acted as reported or whether he has a mental-health condition.

The NFL told NBC News that its firearm policy bars personnel from bringing guns to club facilities, stadiums and team hotels, as well as team planes and buses. The league said the Titans promptly notified it and that the matter was under review. It had not announced an outcome of that review.

Nashville police said officers were neither called nor sent to the scene, NBC News reported. The outlet said Elliott’s agent and union officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. Saleh said he hoped Elliott would get another opportunity to play and offered to speak to any team considering him.