With the release of Johnathan Joseph and with Adoree’ Jackson still not able to play, the Titans have had to make some changes at cornerback this season.
Breon Borders was signed to the Titans’ practice squad on September 21, 2020 to add some depth to the position. The 6-foot, 189-pound CB has been in the NFL for four years, starting his career with the Raiders when he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Borders made the Raiders practice squad as a rookie, then bounced around the league a bit, spending time with the Bills, the Texans, the Jaguars (where he appeared in 12 games including one start), the Washington Football Team, the Steelers, and the Dolphins before finally finding his home here in Tennessee.
He played his first game with the Titans against the Bengals, only playing 10% of all defensive snaps. However, with the team moving on from Joseph, Borders got his chance to start and played every single snap in Week 9 against Chicago. He was targeted 13 times in the game, allowing 6 catches, for a completion percentage of 46.2% per Pro Football Reference charting.
As a collegian, Borders compiled a total of 149 tackles, 12 interceptions, and one forced fumble while playing football for Duke University. He set the record at Duke for most interceptions for a freshman, totaling 4 during his first season as a Blue Devil. Borders continued to lead the team in interceptions for three straight seasons, demonstrating the physicality and ball skills that Jon Robinson has frequently sought in his corners.
In 2015 during his junior season, he earned Duke’s Iron Devil award for playing the most snaps, totaling 1,118. As a senior, Borders earned third-team All-ACC honors from the league’s coaches.
Despite the productive college career, Borders didn’t receive an invite to the combine. However, he performed well at Duke’s pro day, running a 4.46 40-yard dash and jumping 34 inches in the vertical.
The Titans face-off with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night, the first match-up of the season between the division rivals. The Titans are currently leading the division, just one win ahead of the Colts. Tennessee is looking to get their 7th win of the season, with the help of Borders playmaking ability in the secondary.
