Titans HC Brian Callahan Admits to Misunderstanding Catch Rule After Lack of Challenge

Brian Callahan somewhat surprisingly decided not to throw the challenge flag on an incomplete call that negated a 23-yard reception by rookie receiver Elic Ayomanor against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The Tennessee Titans head coach later admitted that he misinterpreted the catch rule.

"My interpretation of the rule was wrong," Callahan said, per ESPN's Turron Davenport. "I'll own it. I didn't do a good enough job in that moment, and I should have challenged it, and it probably would've resulted in a potential explosive play."

Ayomanor secured the ball in the air and came down with his elbow in bounds, but he was ruled to be out of bounds. After the game, Callahan said he didn't challenge the call because he didn't think Ayomanor's feet were in bounds.

"An elbow doesn't equal two feet, so his foot would've had to come down as well," Callahan said after the game.

The rulebook says a player must make contact with the ground with either both feet or any body part other than their hands inbounds, meaning Ayomanor's elbow hitting the ground would have meant it was a catch.

The lack of a challenge call might not have been the difference between a win and a loss, but it certainly could have made a difference as the Titans fell 20-12.