NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans quarterback Jake Locker said Tuesday that his recovery from Lisfranc surgery is going well and he's looking forward to returning to action as soon as he's able.
Locker has been spending time with his family in Ferndale, Wash., but came to Nashville to be the keynote speaker at the 22nd Annual Boy Scouts Patron Luncheon, a fundraiser at the Renaissance Hotel for the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
"Everything's healing really well, so I'm encouraged about how it's coming along," Locker said. "I'm ready to get out of the training room as quickly as possible, so as soon as I'm able to, I will."
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| Jake Locker said Tuesday that his recovery from Lisfranc surgery is going well and he's excited about returning to action as soon as possible. |
Locker had surgery in November and utilized crutches for two months. He's advanced to a walking boot and is soon scheduled to have "hardware removed" from his right foot and begin the next round of rehab activities.
Locker, an avid outdoorsman, did some hunting when it was open season and has been rehabbing. Locker joked that his young daughter has learned "she can outrun me with the boot, so it's interesting at times" and said he and his wife are looking forward to the birth of their first son, who is due in June.
Locker has also been keeping tabs on the changes the Titans have made this offseason with the hiring of coach Ken Whisenhunt and several new assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Jason Michael and quarterbacks coach John McNulty.
Whisenhunt introduced Locker at the luncheon, recounting an anecdote of how Locker introduced himself to the coach at the baggage claim area of the airport in Indianapolis before the 2011 NFL Combine, and stating how he's already been impressed with Locker's leadership traits and character.
Locker said he's excited to work with Whisenhunt and the coaching staff.
"I think he's just a straight shooter and I've got a lot of respect for him for everything he's done in this league, so I'm excited about the opportunity to play for him," Locker said, adding that open dialogue will be a key between coaches and players as a new offense is installed.
"Being able to talk to each other about what you're comfortable with, what you have confidence in and find that comfort zone for everybody," Locker said. "Having an opportunity to meet a lot of the staff, they seem like guys that are very similar, hard-working, excited for the opportunity to be here and all nice guys. It's exciting to have the opportunity to work with guys like that."
Locker spent some free time last offseason watching film of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and is adding to that with film from Whisenhunt's 2013 season as San Diego's offensive coordinator.
"They've been very successful with what they've done offensively, so I'm excited about how they've done that and what they've done to find that success and find out how I can be part of that," Locker said.
The Titans offseason conditioning program can begin April 7, and Tennessee will have spring workouts, as well as organized team activities and a mini-camp in June. While there's not a specific timeline, the two-time captain, said it's important to him to return as a pacesetter during the workouts.
"I think that's a goal of mine every year, to be out there and to do what everybody else is doing so I'm going to do my best and work as hard as I can to get back as quickly as possible and spend as much time with those guys as I can," Locker said.
