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Saleh defends ex-Titan Elliott, says gun incident was not 'criminal act'
Confirmed
In Short: Robert Saleh passionately defended Jordan Elliott, calling the incident a 'call for help' rather than a criminal act.
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh defended defensive lineman Jordan Elliott Wednesday, describing the recent gun-related incident as a 'call for help' rather than a criminal act.
Elliott, 28, was released from the team after the incident, which occurred at the team facility in Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 15, following a dispute with offensive lineman JC Latham.
Saleh emphasized Elliott's character, saying, 'I will stand on the table for Jordan's character,' and added, 'He's a good man.'
The coach noted that Elliott had a 'terrible lapse in judgment' but emphasized that the incident was more of a cry for help than a criminal act.
Elliott signed a two-year deal worth up to $8.5 million with the Titans in the offseason after spending the previous two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Saleh also suggested that other teams should consider signing Elliott, stating, 'If you need a hell of a run-stopping D-tackle that can help you on a playoff run, give me a call.'
The gun never left Elliott's parking spot, according to a source who spoke to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Titans defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers helped to de-escalate the situation, according to Saleh.
Latham said he hadn't had any prior confrontations with Elliott and expressed a willingness to reach out to him if given the opportunity.
The Titans notified the NFL of the incident, which is currently being reviewed by the league.
Elliott was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
What's confirmed
- Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh passionately defended Jordan Elliott 's character and said that last week's gun-related incident involving the defensive lineman was "a call for help more than a criminal act."
- He appeared in five games this season with one start, registering 11 tackles.
- "My message to 31 other teams would be: If you need a hell of a run-stopping D-tackle that can help you on a playoff run, give me a call," Saleh said.
- Elliott, 28, signed a two-year deal worth up to $8.5 million with the Titans in the offseason after spending the previous two seasons with Saleh and the San Francisco 49ers.
- "Unfortunately, rules are rules with regard to guns on property, and sometimes it's far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they're down." Saleh added that he would endorse Elliott, a seven-year NFL veteran, to other teams interested in signing him as a free agent.
- "I'll tell you everything you need to know about him. He's a good man."
- The first-year Titans head coach vouched for Elliott, calling him a "good man."
- "I will stand on the table for Jordan's character," Saleh said.
- "[Elliott] had a terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act," Saleh said Wednesday.
- The gun never left Elliott's parking spot, the source told Garafolo.
- The Titans notified the NFL of the incident, which currently is being reviewed by the league.
- A source confirmed to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo that, after a dispute with offensive lineman JC Latham, Elliott went to his parked car in the players' parking lot to get his gun.
What's still developing
- "And the first question that I think everyone forgets to ask is why would a great man -- a great father, a man who shows up on time every day, works his ass off every day, contributes the way he's supposed to contribute, is well liked in the locker room -- why did he go off the rails and grab a gun?"
- The Titans announced in a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 20 that the team had parted ways with Elliott.