Tennessee Titans On April 30, 2012, Brinkley signed with the
Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He made his
NFL debut against the
New England Patriots on September 9. On March 8, 2015, Brinkley signed a five-year contract extension with the Titans worth $5.75 million. On September 30, 2018, in a 26–23 overtime victory against the
Philadelphia Eagles, Brinkley played his 100th career game. The Titans finished with their third consecutive 9–7 season, but did not qualify for the playoffs, with Brinkley snapping for punter Brett Kern as he was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and was named Second-team All-Pro. Entering the final year of his contract, Brinkley signed a multi-year contract extension with the Titans on September 6, 2019. During the season, he snapped for
Brett Kern as he was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl and was named First-team All-Pro. On December 18, Brinkley was announced to be a
Pro Bowl alternate for the
2020 Pro Bowl. The Titans finished with a fourth consecutive 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs, where they won upsets over the
New England Patriots and the
Baltimore Ravens before losing to eventual Super Bowl champions, the
Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. On September 29, 2020, Brinkley, along with
DaQuan Jones and practice squad player
Tommy Hudson were placed on the reserve/
COVID-19 list by the team. He was activated on October 11. Brinkley was released on November 3.
Detroit Lions On September 25, 2021, Brinkley was signed to the
Detroit Lions practice squad, but was released two days later.
Arizona Cardinals On November 12, 2021, Brinkley was signed to the
Arizona Cardinals practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 20. He was waived on November 22 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on December 4. He was released on December 14.
Los Angeles Chargers On December 28, 2021, Brinkley was signed to the
Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was released on January 3, 2022.
Chicago Bears On February 16, 2022, Brinkley was signed to the
Chicago Bears. He was released by the team on March 17.
Atlanta Falcons On April 4, 2022, Brinkley signed a one-year contract with the
Atlanta Falcons. On May 2, Brinkley was placed on
Injured reserve. ==References==