Titans Coach Sends Blunt Message on WR Calvin Ridley

After enjoying last week's bye, the Tennessee Titans will return to action on Sunday with a Week 6 home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans will need all hands on deck to defeat their AFC South rivals, which means a stronger offensive performance will be crucial.

Several members of Tennessee's offense have left much to be desired, including Calvin Ridley. The veteran wide receiver was invisible more often than not throughout the Titans' first four games after joining the franchise on a four-year, $92 million contract in the offseason.

It's normal for fans and the media to blame a player for their own struggles, however, Titans head coach Brian Callahan refuses to go down that route with Ridley.

"I've got to do a better job of finding ways to get Calvin (Ridley) the ball," Callahan told reporters on Wednesday, per NFL insider Kayla Anderson . "We need to use his speed and explosiveness more. Just get it in his hands every which way we can."

Callahan added that he told Ridley that the coaching staff needs to "get him going" before Wednesday's press conference.

"Just be patient, we'll get it to you," Callahan said about what he told the struggling playmaker. "(Ridley) is a team player... But like those guys, they want their part of the action and want to be able to help."

Outside of Week 2, Ridley's performances have been largely forgettable this season. The former Alabama receiver has only been targeted 19 times through four games, hauling in nine catches (42.1 percent) for 141 receiving yards and a touchdown. He's also tallied 20 rushing yards and another score on two carries.

Now that Callahan has taken ownership of Ridley's struggles, the Titans are hoping to see the 29-year-old playmaker return to form. He's hit the 1,000-yard mark in the last two seasons where he's played at least 15 games and just amassed a 76-1,016-8 stat line in 17 appearances with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.

The good news for Ridley is that the Colts have been susceptible through the air this season. According to Pro Football Reference , Indianapolis has allowed the 10th-most receptions and fourth-most receiving yards to wideouts after five weeks.

Titans fans will forget about Ridley's slow start if he takes advantage of the Colts' passing defense. Conversely, his contract will keep looking worse with each passing week if his struggles continue.

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