Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (80) celebrates after catching a pass for a first down against the Vikings.

The name Bryce Oliver might not mean much to casual Titans fans.

But Oliver’s work over the past two weeks and the current situation the Titans find themselves in at 2-8 make him a perfect example of what the remaining seven games of the 2024 season should be for this team.

Oliver is an undrafted rookie who in two games since being promoted from the practice squad has caught three passes for 56 yards. One of those catches against the Chargers two weeks ago helped to set up a Titans touchdown. A 33-yard catch last week against Minnesota came right after a 51-yard TD pass to Calvin Ridley was negated by a penalty and helped to set up a field goal.

The point is this: In a going-nowhere season, the Titans now owe it to many more guys on this roster to give them the same opportunities that Oliver has seized upon.

There are several other places where it is time to see what younger players can do. To learn if they, like Oliver, can find a role beyond just special teams.

Here are a few others that merit an opportunity:

David Martin-Robinson (rookie TE): Martin-Robinson was the sensation of preseason as his play earned him a spot on the initial 53-man roster. But he has since been a healthy scratch every single week. It’s time to unwrap him and find out what can do. At this stage there’s not much point in giving more reps to Nick Vannett, a free agent who doesn’t figure into 2025 plans.

James Williams or Cedric Gray (rookie LB): Jack Gibbens suffered an unfortunate season-ending ankle injury Sunday, and the Titans brought in Jerome Baker to replace him. It was Baker’s first action of the season after being acquired in the Ernest Jones trade. Baker is also on an expiring contract. It’s time to see what Gray, who just returned from injury, can do or whether Williams, a converted college safety, can handle some defensive reps.

Logan Bruss (third-year OG): The Titans talk about how Dillon Radunz has been decent at right guard this season. But he is also set to be a free agent. Bruss, picked up off waivers from the Rams last week, is a former third-round pick. Maybe the Titans should get him up to speed to learn if he might be a longer-term answer at right guard. That would give Radunz a shot at right tackle, where he surely couldn’t be worse than those who have been out there this season.