NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With a fifth-round pick a team is going to hit on some choices, but miss more often.

In 2012 the Tennessee Titans believed they found a defensive end turning back into a tight end who could be a big part of their offense in Taylor Thompson.

When he was drafted out of SMU, he had the strong backing of Mike Munchak's offensive coordinator, Chris Palmer. Let's track back some of the blame there. Bud Adams hired Munchak, who failed as a head coach, only after the late-owner decided late in the firing and hiring season to part with Jeff Fisher. Had Munchak, who had no head coaching experience, started sooner, he might have lured a better coordinator who might not have loved an SMU defensive end for his offense. General manager Ruston Webster also saw fit to co-sign the review of Thompson and spend a fifth-round pick on him.

Two coordinators later, Thompson had a big training camp in 2014 and looked like he might finally contribure in his third season. That was derailed after just three games. A knee injury kept him inactive for five games after that, then he was placed on IR on Nov. 5, 2014.

Thompson was at the start of voluntary work, then left the team. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he had personal matters. But Thompson was late for the team's mandatory minicamp, he missed his physical on Monday evening, and failed to connect with Whisenhunt about why.

He said he had a long flight delay from Houston and called the team's trainer, rather than Whisenhunt.

While Thomson spoke of a knee injury and worked on the side during three practices, the team didn't think he was hurt.

"When he left here, however many weeks ago, he was healthy," Whisenhunt told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. "We communicated, he said he was fine, no issues, other than some personal matters. He shows up, says there's something wrong with his knee, and I have no idea what he is talking about."

Thompson was waived Thursday, not waived-injured. Perhaps he is hurt. If he has a different diagnosis, the union can challenge the Titans' decision for him.

He was competing for a spot this summer with a tight end group that includes Delanie Walker, a healthy Craig Stevens and free-agent addition Anthony Fasano.

The way he spoke and acted this week secured his fate, and left me questioning, even if he was hurt, just how much he wanted to play football anymore.