The Tennessee Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott after an incident at the team’s training ground. Elliott reportedly got into an altercation with offensive lineman JC Latham and then went to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle, which led to his subsequent release from the team.

After the announcement of Elliot’s release, former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler T. J. Houshmandzadeh addressed the defensive tackle’s lapse in judgment.

T. J. Houshmandzadeh Slams Jordan Elliott’s Lapse in Judgment

During Wednesday’s segment of the “Speakeasy” podcast, Houshmandzadeh was baffled by Elliot’s decision to retrieve his firearm after the altercation with Latham without considering the ramifications of his actions towards his family.

“Jordan Elliott made a mistake, a [expletive] mistake actually,” Houshmandzadeh said. “It’s black and white. And with me working with the league still to this day, these messages are so clear. Like, why am I bringing my pistol with me to the facility. What am I doing? Don’t do it. You get the message over and over.”

Houshmandzadeh said that a player may not always get along with their teammate and that disagreements can arise, but they should never escalate to the point of reaching for a firearm.

“Jordan Elliott, I don’t know if he’s married, but he’s a father. Bro, you have kids that are relying on you. And if you have kids, you may have a mother of that child that is also relying on you as well. And if that’s your wife, she’s really relying on you. We always put our kids in front of us, always.”

The NFL prohibits firearms at club facilities, including team parking areas, and the league has confirmed that Elliott’s case is under review, meaning he could still face league discipline. According to a report by KPRC2, the defensive tackle was seen on security cameras going to his car to grab his firearm before being stopped by his teammate, John Franklin-Myers.

Elliott started his college football career with the Texas Longhorns before transferring to play for the Missouri Tigers. The defensive tackle was selected No. 88 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he later established himself as a starter.

The former Longhorns standout joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 before following Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who was previously the 49ers defensive coordinator, to Tennessee this year. During his news conference on Wednesday, Saleh vouched for Elliott and offered to stand as a character witness for the defensive tackle.

“These kids go through a lot,” Saleh said. “I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character. My message to 31 other teams: If you need a hell of a run-stopping (defensive tackle) that can help for a playoff run, give me a call.”

“I’ll tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s a good man. Had a terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act.”

Elliott signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Titans and has amassed 11 total tackles (2 solo) so far this season, playing in a unit that is ranked 9th in PFN Defensive Line Impact Score with a grade of 80.8.