NASHVILLE, Tenn. —High ankle sprain, meet a higher power.
Titans defensive lineman Al Woods said it's no competition. Woods has been practicing this week and plans to return to action on Sunday vs the Jaguars, despite suffering a high ankle sprain on November 15 against the Panthers.
His secret for coming back so soon: Holy water.
"The holy water and praying on it, that's what did it,'' Woods said. "I did the rehab I was supposed to do, but it's the man above that heals."
Woods, raised Catholic, said his mother provided the holy water, which she got from church. He regularly rubbed the holy water on the ankle, he said, while making the sign of the cross and praying each day.
"I am being serious,'' Woods said. "I know it helped. You could say that you have to fight through some things. It's probably about 90 percent now. But it's the holy water, and the prayers, that did it."
The Titans are looking forward to getting Woods back on the field.
Woods played in the first nine games this season, with eight starts, before the injury. He has 25 tackles on the season, thanks to his disruptive style of play.
A sixth-year pro who played from 2011-2014 with the Steelers, Woods said he's ready to return. He should provide a boost to a defense that's been especially effective against the run in recent weeks.
"I don't like to miss practice, much less a game,'' Woods said. "I like to be out there. I appreciate the grind. I'm going (on Sunday). I am playing."
