NASHVILLE – The Titans are scheduled to return to the practice field later on Tuesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports to begin preparations for Saturday's game vs the Texans at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at the Titans topics of the day in quick-hitting fashion:
-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference earlier in the day on Tuesday. He was followed at the podium by cornerback Roger McCreary and running back Derrick Henry.
-Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) "doesn't necessarily" have to practice this week in order to play on Saturday, per Vrabel. "He has a great grasp of what we're trying to do," Vrabel said.
Vrabel he's seen a lot of maturity and growth in back-up Malik Willis during the course of the season while expressing confidence in him in the event he's needed on Saturday.
-With kickoff temperatures expected to be in the teens on Saturday, Vrabel acknowledged special teams could be impacted. "It could be windy," Vrabel said. "It will be cold. (But) we've played in the rain, we've played in the snow. We've played in a lot of these things. We'll get some work inside today, and then we'll work our way outside as the week goes along and everyone will be prepared in their own way, whether that's the footing, the shoes that we wear, all the other things that go along with playing in weather games."
-The Titans signed offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel and Daniel Munyer to the team's practice squad earlier in the day.
Benzschawel (6-6, 300, BEN-shawl) has three games of NFL experience after entering the league as an undrafted college free agent with Detroit in 2019. He played in two games as a rookie with the Lions and one game with Houston in 2020. Last year, he spent the season on the Washington practice squad. As a college player at Wisconsin, Benzschawel started 49 consecutive games, including 43 at right guard.
Munyer (6-1, 305) returns to the Titans, where he has spent parts of the last three seasons and logged three games. Over his NFL career, he has played in 19 games with Kansas City, Arizona and Tennessee. He entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Kansas City in 2015. As a college player at the University of Colorado, Munyer made 39 starts at guard and center.
Vrabel said "there will be some moving parts" on the offensive line this week, and the team will have to see how things play out.
"We'll see where we're at the end of the week," Vrabel said.
-Linebacker Zach Cunningham, designated to return to practice from Injured Reserve last week, is expected to practice again this week, and Vrabel said there's a chance he can return.
Cunningham, who is dealing with an elbow injury, would have to be activated.
"He'll do some stuff," Vrabel said. "He'll have to do some stuff creatively … to be able to see where he is with his arm, and how he can use it, and make sure that he can protect himself and do some things."
-Receiver Treylon Burks, who suffered a concussion at Philadelphia and did not play against the Jaguars or Chargers, continues to work his way back from concussion, Vrabel said. Same with defensive back Tre Avery, who is also working his way through the concussion protocol
"Hopefully we'll get (them) out there today," Vrabel.
-Defensive lineman Denico Autry, who suffered a knee injury in the Packers game and has missed the past four games continues to make progress, per Vrabel.
Autry practiced on a limited basis last week, but the Titans didn't think he was ready to play in the game.
"So maybe this week we can see where that goes this week," Vrabel said, "and hopefully we can get him back."
-Left tackle Taylor Lewan and outside linebacker Harold Landry made the trip to Los Angeles to visit with their doctors, Vrabel said.
-The Titans are scheduled to hold a walkthrough in Nashville later today before practicing on Wednesday and Thursday leading up to Saturday's game vs the Texans.
