NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Andy Levitre was hustling to pack his bag and exit the Tennessee Titans postgame locker room.

“Got a second?”

“No, I’ve got to go.”

That’s likely the last of Levitre, the demoted left guard who was heading into the third year of a six-year, $46.8 million contract that came with $13 million guaranteed.

Nagging injuries contributed to poor production over two years. The Titans changed coaches between his first and second season and the offensive line has been reshaped with bigger people.

But Levitre never played as well as he did for the Buffalo Bills, a resume that earned him the giant free-agent contract.

The Titans can’t pay him a $6.5 million base to be a backup this season. Even at a lesser salary, he no longer fits what they want to do or what they want to be.

So Thursday night in their preseason finale they skipped from Byron Bell, the new starting left guard, to Josue Matias, an undrafted rookie.

Levitre never played, a move that’s common for a veteran about to be cut.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he told Levitre ahead of time he wouldn’t play. It was important for the team to build a body of work on which to judge young interior linemen Matias, Will Poehls, Quinton Spain and Andy Gallik, Whisenhunt said.

While the coach said "there is a place for Andy on this team" he went on to say "certainly that's a decision we've got to talk about over the next couple of days."

Teammates spoke highly of Levitre.

“Andy was upbeat, the man’s been around long enough,” Bell said. “He was cheering guys on and being positive. He’s good guy, I don’t make decisions. They’re trying to get the young guys reps too.”

“Decisions are being made that we don’t know anything about,” right guard Chance Warmack said. “Great guy, great football player in my mind. It’s a business though.”

Whatever unfolds with Levitre, left tackle Taylor Lewan said it won’t have a bearing on his relationship with him.

“His situation is not any of my business.” Lewan said. “I will say, he’s an unbelievable guy, a genuine friend and a good football player. Whatever happens, happens. But I know for the rest of my life he’s going to be one of my friends.”