Titans Wrap-up final OTA
The Tennessee Titans finished up the last day of OTA’s on Thursday. The last phase of the offseason is complete before minicamp next week.
Here are some observations from Thursday’s practice.
Murray has hand surgery
The big news at Saint Thomas Sports Park was Titans starting running back Demarco Murray walking around with a cast on his right hand. The Pro-Bowl back said the injury had occurred in game two of the 2016 regular season. However, the injury nagged around throughout the offseason.
“There is nothing serious. Definitely, if there is a game I would be playing,” said Murray on his hand surgery. “… We got minicamp coming up here next week. So we just figured we would get a little jump on and give me an extra week off to let it heal and make sure we are ready for camp.”
Murray led the Titans in rushing last season with 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns. The injury should not impact him, as he could be back on the field by minicamp next week.
“He should be ready to go. He wants to work next week. I’ll see,” said Coach Mike Mularkey on the injury. “He should be out of the cast Monday, if not he will be back for camp obviously.”
Sharpe foot injury
Second-year wide receiver Tajae Sharpe has been missing from practice since last week. Sharpe suffered a foot injury and has been on the practice field observing; however, has been absent from all drills.
“He had surgery last week. He should be, we are going to hold him until training camp,” said Mularkey. “He should be ready for training camp as well.”
The 2016 fifth round pick had 41 receptions for 522 yards and two touchdowns last season. All kinds of excitement was around the receiver going through the last offseason. He proved himself during the beginning of the season; however, his stats fell off toward the end of the year.
Offense has big day
The Titans offense won the last day of OTA’s with their performance. The offense, led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, made multiple big plays in the team portions of practice.
The most notable play of practice came from free agent acquisition wide receiver Darius Jennings. The receiver who has made stops in Cleveland, New York and Chicago, made a double-move on the outside and caught an outstretched, leaping touchdown grab.
“Not a good day today,” said Mularkey on the defense. “I can say this, a day that you (media) were not here we couldn’t complete a pass against our defense. The coverage there was no place to throw it. We’ve had good days and bad days on both sides of the ball which is a good sign.”
Wide receiver Tre McBride made a catch from Mariota in the endzone as well, and followed up with a dancing touchdown celebration to test out the new NFL celebration rules.
