Bates, who is from Memphis, played collegiately at Auburn. He was initially signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He became the second key special teams performer to reach a deal with the Titans since the start of free agency, joining another former Oakland Raider, safety Brynden Trawick.

"It was impressive to watch Brynden and Bates on kickoff coverage in Oakland, race to the goalline to see who could get there first,'' Titans general manager Jon Robinson said. "Bates is another fast, violent player in the kicking game. That is predominantly what he's played is on special teams.

"I like his intensity, like his instincts and his reckless abandon to throw himself in there to make a play."