Before Jordan Elliott became an NFL defensive tackle, he was one of the most highly regarded defensive linemen in Texas High School football.
Now, the former Houston Westside standout is suddenly looking for another NFL team following a serious incident at the Tennessee Titans’ facility.
The Titans released Elliott on Tuesday after reviewing an Oct. 15 incident involving the veteran defensive tackle. Multiple reports later indicated Elliott went to the players’ parking area to retrieve a gun following a practice dispute with offensive tackle JC Latham.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh addressed the situation Wednesday, confirming a gun was involved while describing the incident as a serious lapse in judgment.
No one was injured.
From Houston Westside to the NFL
Elliott grew up in Missouri City and became a national recruit at Westside High School in Houston.
His junior season was particularly dominant. Elliott recorded 78 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while earning first-team Class 6A All-State honors from the Associated Press.
As a senior in 2015, he finished with 30 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks in eight games. Elliott helped Westside reach the 6A Division II playoffs and was selected for the 2016 U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
The four-star prospect was considered one of the top defensive tackles in the country and initially signed with Texas.
Elliott played one season for the Longhorns before transferring to Missouri. He eventually became a first-team All-SEC selection and entered the 2020 NFL Draft.
Cleveland selected him in the third round with the 88th overall pick.
Reported Practice Incident Led to Release
Elliott’s time in Tennessee lasted just five games.
According to multiple reports, Elliott and Latham became involved in a heated practice dispute. Elliott was told to leave the field, removed his pads and then went toward his vehicle.
Reports indicate he went to retrieve a firearm, but veteran defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers intervened and helped de-escalate the situation before it developed further.
Elliott did not practice the following day and was listed as out for personal reasons. He was also inactive for Tennessee’s Week 6 victory over Indianapolis.
The Titans announced his release Tuesday, saying only that the organization had reviewed an incident at its facility before making the decision.
The NFL is also reviewing the situation.
Saleh Still Supporting Elliott
Saleh made clear Wednesday that while the organization viewed Elliott’s actions as unacceptable, he does not believe the incident should define the 28-year-old’s career.
The Titans coach characterized the situation as a sign Elliott needed help and expressed support for him receiving another opportunity in the NFL.
Elliott signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Tennessee during the offseason after spending the previous two seasons with San Francisco.
He has played 102 NFL games during stops with Cleveland, San Francisco and Tennessee.
For Elliott, the next chapter is now uncertain. But long before reaching the NFL, his football story began in Houston, where he developed into one of Texas’ top high school defensive linemen at Westside.
