NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans cornerback Jason McCourty is hating life right now.
Sidelined since early in training camp with a groin injury, he's spending his days working on his conditioning while he's recovering. Part of the time he's been working the ropes on the sideline while his teammates practice.
"That is a meathead workout,'' he said. "So it's not too much fun.
"I hate missing practice,'' McCourty continued. "I think no matter how long you have been in the league, everybody needs it. So it is killing me not to be out there. I am just trying to make up by doing other things to keep my conditioning up and just talking to the guys. I think there is always a need from a leadership standpoint and chemistry standpoint to be out there so I hate the fact I can't be out there."
McCourty, heading into his seventh NFL season, hasn't missed a start in the last three seasons. He's started 63 of a possible 64 games since 2011. In 2014, McCourty finished the season with 85 tackles and three interceptions.
McCourty said he's taking it "day by day" in his recovery, and said he's improving. He missed Friday's preseason opener against the Falcons, and isn't expected to play in the team's second preseason game on Sunday against the Rams.
"But I am not ready to be out there right now, so it is just a matter of when it is fully recovered and when I'll be ready 100 percent,'' he said. "As soon as I can I will be out there doing footwork, and whatever I can. I absolutely hate this."
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said he's not worried about McCourty being able to play at a top level when he returns. With McCourty out, other players in the secondary have gotten more reps.
"I don't worry about it from the standpoint of playing,'' Whisenhunt said of McCourty. "I would just like him to be out here because he was playing so well. It's good for our receivers to go against him, it's good for competition. So hopefully that will be soon."
