How 3 Tennessee Titans newcomers improbably sparked win over Indianapolis Colts

Austin Hooper had been hoping for a big day with the Tennessee Titans. So had Andrew Adams and Terrance Mitchell.

That day came Sunday when the three newcomers helped lead the Titans to a 19-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts in a key AFC South game at Nissan Stadium.

Hooper, a tight end, was the Titans leading receiver. Adams, a safety, returned an interception for the Titans' only touchdown. And Mitchell, a cornerback, helped secure the win by causing a late turnover.

Hooper was an unrestricted a free agent the Titans (4-2) signed in the offseason with hopes of adding experience and leadership at his position. Adams was signed off the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad and Mitchell the New England Patriots' practice squad on Sept. 21.

The only talk about Hooper prior to Sunday's game was how little he had contributed in his seventh NFL season. He entered Sunday's game with only six catches for 55 yards on the season. He had not had more than two catches in a game.

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Against the Colts (3-3-1), Hooper had three catches for 56 yards, including a magnificent 19-yard snag he made while falling to the turf to help keep the Titans' final scoring drive alive. The catch was reviewed by the officials.

"You've just got to be professional," Hooper said when asked about waiting for his time to shine. "I mean some weeks it's someone else. This week it just happened to be me."

Hooper was not listed on the Titans' depth chart. Geoff Swaim was the starter and Kevin Rader was the backup.

It's that kind of depth, Hooper said, that could help the offense finally get into a groove.

"My number was called this week, and you have to take advantage of the opportunities," Hooper said. "Next week it'll probably be someone else. That's the beauty of this offense. A bunch of guys can touch the ball here, and it's just cool when you get to be a part of an offense that has a lot of different guys that can do stuff."

Ryan Tannehill had been asked throughout the season why Hooper wasn't more involved in the offense? Tannehill continually said Hooper's chance would come.

"I've said it all along – the ball's going to find him. The guy's doing a good job for us," Tannehill said. "He's consistent. He works in practice. I have a great connection with him. It was just a matter of time."

Hooper converted a third down on another catch in the third quarter when he was closely covered, Tannehill said.

After the Colts had made it to the Titans 28-yard line, Adams intercepted Matt Ryan and ran 76 yards down the right sideline for the Titans' only touchdown. It was his first NFL touchdown.

"Actually in 2019 (while playing for Tampa Bay) playing the Titans I scooped up a fumble to score a touchdown, but they reviewed it and said it wasn't a fumble" Adams said. "They came out the next day and said it was a fumble. So they should've let it play. So they robbed me of my first touchdown against the Titans and now I got my first touchdown with the Titans."

Adams and safety Amani Hooker led the Titans with 10 tackles each. Adams also defended a pass.

Mitchell hit Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. with 3:28 left to play, forcing Mitchell to fumble. Hooker recovered the ball at the Titans 43.

The officials ruled the pass was incomplete, but coach Mike Vrabel threw the challenge flag. After the review, it was ruled Pittman caught the pass and fumbled.

The Titans were able to run the clock out after that call.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans' Austin Hooper, Andrew Adams, Terrance Mitchell spark win