The Tennessee Titans have released starting center Lloyd Cushenberry III and starting safety Xavier Woods, the team announced Wednesday. Cushenberry’s move was processed with a failed physical designation, indicating he did not meet the club’s medical requirements at the time of his release.
Cushenberry had been installed as the team’s starting center, anchoring the interior of the offensive line. Centers play a central role in offensive operations, handling snaps to the quarterback, making protection calls, and helping to stabilize both the passing and running games. His departure leaves the Titans with a vacancy at one of the most communication‑intensive positions on offense.
Woods, a starting safety, had been part of the back end of the defense, where responsibilities typically include deep coverage, support against the run, and alignment and communication in the secondary. Releasing a starting safety signals a significant change in the defensive backfield and will require adjustments in both personnel and roles for the Titans’ defense.
A failed physical designation, as attached to Cushenberry’s release, generally means that medical or health concerns factored into the decision. It also distinguishes his situation from a standard release; however, specific medical details were not disclosed. Without further information from the team or player representatives, the nature and extent of any physical issue remain unclear.
The Titans did not publicly outline their broader roster strategy in connection with the moves. In the NFL, releasing established starters can be driven by a combination of factors such as health, player evaluation, contract considerations, or a shift in long‑term planning. For now, only the transactions themselves and the failed physical designation for Cushenberry are confirmed.
Tennessee will now look to adjust its depth chart at both center and safety. The team’s options could include internal competition among reserves, future signings, or other roster moves as the offseason progresses. Further announcements from the Titans will clarify how they intend to replace Cushenberry’s role in the middle of the offensive line and Woods’ responsibilities in the secondary.
No additional terms of the releases were announced, and there was no immediate public comment cited from Cushenberry or Woods regarding their departures from the team.
