Titans Bring In Veteran Punter Thomas Morstead as Tommy Townsend's Knee Clouds Week 8

Titans fans, this is the kind of move you make when a punter's health turns into a real question. Tennessee signed veteran punter Thomas Morstead to the practice squad on Wednesday, per the Tennessee Titans. Ari Meirov and Paul Kuharsky also reported the signing.

Why now

Tommy Townsend hurt his left knee late in the first half of Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Browns. CBS Sports, via RotoWire, reported that Joey Slye handled the team's only second-half punt and that Townsend was still being evaluated Monday. Titans Wire noted the club also worked out punter Matt Haack on Tuesday.

Who Morstead is

He's 40, and the resume is long. The team's release says Morstead has played 272 career games with 1,004 punts at a 46.7-yard average (41.3 net). He was a 2012 Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro and won Super Bowl XLIV with New Orleans. He punted for the 49ers last season and had a short practice-squad stint with the Colts earlier this month. Meirov points out he also played for Robert Saleh with the Jets.

Our Take: This is smart insurance and it costs next to nothing. A practice-squad deal lets the Titans elevate a proven leg for Sunday's Week 8 game at Cincinnati if Townsend can't go. That beats asking Slye to do two jobs in a one-score game.

What to watch: Townsend's practice status this week and whether Morstead gets the game-day call-up.

Sources: Tennessee Titans, Ari Meirov on X, Paul Kuharsky on X, CBS Sports, Titans Wire