NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park to continue preparations for Sunday's regular season opener against the New York Giants.
Let's hit on the happenings of the day in a quick-hitting fashion:
-Ola Adeniyi is headed into his fifth NFL season, but this year already feels different.
For starters, the Titans outside linebacker/special teams ace was voted a captain by his teammates, which brought a big smile to his face.
"Oh man," Adeniyi said. "That means a lot, for the guys to vote me a captain. It's my first time ever, and I truly appreciate it. I hope I live up to it.
"I just want to keep doing the same thing I've been doing each and every day, just coming in here and earning the respect of the guys."
Adeniyi, in his second year with the Titans after playing three seasons in Pittsburgh, knows even more will be counted on him – and others – in 2022.
In addition to his work on special teams, Adeniyi will also be looked on to produce in the defense as well following the recent injury to outside linebacker Harold Landry, who was placed on Injured Reserve last week.
"Harold was a big piece of the defense, and that was a big loss for us," said Adeniyi, who had 2.5 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures in 2021. "But it's the next-man-up mentality, and it's going to take the whole room now. Everybody will have to step up their game a little bit more, and the intensity will have to be a lot higher. We have to bring it each and every day.
"I feel good. I've been here for a year now and kind of studied the game, especially coming in this offseason, I got with the coaches – got with coach (Ryan) Crow and (Mike) Vrabel and fine tune what I need to fine tune. I feel good after that. … Now I need to take that next step."
-Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said the defense will need to set the tone against the Giants and their running back, Saquon Barkley.
-Defensive back Elijah Molden did not practice on Thursday for the second day in a row. He's listed on the Injury Report with a groin injury.
-Defensive back Lonnie Johnson did not practice on Thursday for the second day in a row. He's listed on the Injury Report with a groin injury.
-Linebacker Chance Campbell, limited in Wednesday's session with a knee injury, did not practice on Thursday.
-Offensive lineman Jamarco Jones, limited in Wednesday's session with a triceps injury, practiced on a limited basis again on Thursday.
-The Titans added Adeniyi to the Injury Report on Thursday (neck), and listed him as limited.
-Tight end Thomas Odukoya, with the team on the NFL International Allocation, was not spotted at practice on Thursday for the second day in a row.
-Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk watched Thursday's practice from her perch atop the practice field.
-The Giants released their first Injury Report on Wednesday, and it looked like this: DB Dane Belton (clavicle), DE Azeez Ojulari (calf), WR Sterling Shepard (Achilles) and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) were all limited in Wednesday's practice. The Giants did not practice on Thursday, but on a projected injury report they listed all four players as limited participants.
-The Titans return to the practice field on Friday to continue preparations for the Giants.
-Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman spoke to reporters before Thursday's session.
-Aukerman said he's liked what he's seen in rookie Kyle Philips at punt returner. Aukerman said the team has several options at kick returner on Sunday, including Dontrell Hilliard, Trenton Cannon and Philips. Cannon would have to be called up from the practice squad.
-I did a separate story on Titans running back Derrick Henry today. CLICK HERE to read it. Below is a clip of Henry from his session at the podium.
-Check out some more of today's practice clips and interviews below:
Also today, the team released some interesting supplemental notes heading into the opener.
I posted those below:
