NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans have acquired veteran defensive back Desmond King from the Los Angeles Chargers for a sixth-round pick in 2021.
The Chargers selected King in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. King settled in as the starting nickel corner and was named a 2018 first-team All-Pro at the position as well as a second-team All-Pro at punt returner. He was relegated to a backup role when the Chargers signed free agent Chris Harris but resumed his role as their nickelback after Harris was injured in late September.
For the season, King has played 248 defensive snaps (54.6%), posting 24 tackles and a sack. King was a healthy scratch for the Chargers' Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos.
"Sometimes guys just need a fresh start and we wish him all the best," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.
Adding King provides much-needed help to a Titans secondary that was without rookie Kristian Fulton in a 31-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Cornerback Adoree' Jackson has been out for the past seven games. King should see significant time as the nickelback for the Titans with Fulton on the injured reserve list.
"He's a player that we felt like could help us, come in and play DB. He's been disruptive. He's an effective blitzer and has done some things," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of King. "From everything that we've heard, he's a player that loves football and is competitive that has played in a number of spots and in the kicking game."
The Titans aren't certain when King will be able to practice with the team due to travel and COVID-19 protocols. But their belief is that Saturday is the earliest that King will be available. Most of his involvement with the team during this week of practice will be through Zoom meetings.
King's salary-cap hit for the season will be $1.1 million. He is set to become a free agent after this year.