Gibbens was a RFA this spring but the Titans chose not to tender him. He now reunites with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, Tennessee’s boss for two of Gibbens’ three seasons as a Titan. Gibbens made 13 starts in Vrabel’s final year with the team, setting career highs across the board in the process. He will play a mix of defense and special teams in New England.

Gibbens is now free to sign with another club. The 26-year-old linebacker started 18 games with the Titans over the last two years, but underwent season-ending ankle surgery in November. Assuming good health, there’ll likely be a market for Gibbens on a one-year deal.

“That was tough to watch and really unfortunate but he was playing well,” Callahan said after Gibbens rode a cart off on Sunday in a cast. It’s possible this injury lingers into next year. A 2022 UDFA, Gibbens had made 14 and 15 tackles the last two games as a starter and carried a 83.2 PFF grade. Jerome Baker, who came over in the Ernest Jones trade with the Seahawks, picked up as Tennessee’s other inside linebacker next to Kenneth Murray.

The cart came out for Wyatt in the third quarter after an ankle injury that did not look good. The Titans will likely turn to Jerome Baker at one of their inside linebacker spots as the Titans defense gets a little bit thinner.