The Tennessee Titans cut Jordan Elliott following a dramatic and potentially very scary altercation at the team's facility, but head coach Robert Saleh talked up the defensive tackle's character

Robert Saleh defended the character of Jordan Elliott following his release from the Tennessee Titans for allegedly going to get a gun after an altercation at the team's training facility.

On Friday last week, Saleh told local reporters that Elliott would miss practice due to “personal stuff.” The defensive tackle also stayed behind when the team traveled to Indianapolis, and he was inactive for the team's stunning upset win over the Colts that cost GM Chris Ballard his job.

Elliott was later released, and, reports emerged that it all stemmed from a heated exchange with Titans teammate JC Latham during practice on Thursday, October 15. The defensive tackle was ordered to leave the field, and when the situation escalated after practice, Elliott allegedly stormed to the players' parking garage to allegedly retrieve a firearm from his vehicle.

Titans defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers is said to have intervened and de-escalated the situation before any confrontation involving the firearm occurred. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said on Tuesday afternoon that no reports had been filed regarding the incident. The NFL's awareness of the situation is also unclear.

Saleh, though, addressed Elliott’s release on Tuesday, speaking highly of Elliott’s character and insisting his actions appeared to be more of a “cry for help” rather than an attempt to commit a horrific crime.

The Titans head coach said: “I think the organization and the NFL did an outstanding job with regard to pausing, which is what I think everyone needs to do in this situation, is pause in regard to the news that Jordan had a gun. The reason why I think the NFL and the organization did an outstanding job is because this is a man who is a father, a great husband, he’s never committed a crime in his entire life, and he pulled a gun in the parking lot.

“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 a-- 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? To me, those are small signs of a cry for help in terms of obviously there’s something greater happening.

“I thought the team and the NFL did an outstanding job with regards to pausing and asking those questions and checking every single box with regards to getting him the help he needs.”

Saleh then referenced the loss of Marshawn Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys defensive end who died via self-inflicted gun wound last year, as well as others. He brought it back to Elliott, continuing: “I’m not saying that’s where he was, but these kids go through a lot.

“I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character. Unfortunately, rules are rules regarding guns on property, and sometimes it’s far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they’re down. My message to 31 other teams would be if you need a helluva run-stopping D-tackle that can help you on 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.”

Saleh added: “[Elliott] deserves another chance. Rules are rules, it can’t be here.”

Elliott signed a two-year, $8 million contract with Tennessee during the offseason. The defensive tackle was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, spending four seasons in Cleveland before playing two years with the San Francisco 49ers.

For the Titans in 2026, the 28-year-old appeared in five games with one start, registering 11 tackles.

The 1-5 Titans are next in action against the 4-2 Browns at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25.