Quick Hits

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Thursday's Quick Hits: Derrick Henry's Challenge vs. No.1-ranked Run Defense, Jayon Brown Feeling Good, and the Titans Injury Report

Oct 24, 2019 at 02:41 PM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

NASHVILLE -- The Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park to continue preparations for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here's a look at three quick hits from Thursday:

"A Big Challenge"

Running back Derrick Henry has been a consistent force for the Titans this season.

Through seven games, Henry has 506 yards, and he's coming off a 90-yard game against the Chargers, when he ran for his fifth touchdown of the season.

On Sunday, he'll aim for his seventh game in a row at home with 75-plus rushing yards. As a team, the Titans are averaging 102 rushing yards per game.

But Henry knows it won't be easy – the Buccaneers are ranked No.1 in the NFL in run defense, allowing just 68 yards per game.

"It's definitely a big challenge," Henry said. "We just have to stick with what we do. We know it is going to be dirty early, it is going to be tough. But we have to keep grinding away.

"It will be a tough week, with tough yardage. They're very good against the run. For us, it all starts on the practice field. We have to execute on the practice field so we'll be prepared."

Since 2018, Henry is one of just two running backs (Todd Gurley) with 1,500-plus rush yards (1,565) and 15-plus rush TDs (17).

The Buccaneers, led by inside linebacker Lavonte David and his 41 tackles, will aim to slow him down.

"They have a good scheme, guys who play hard, have high effort, finish on plays," Henry said of Tampa Bay's defense. "Hat's off to them because they have been good at it all year."

"I Feel Good"

Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown sat out Sunday's game against the Chargers, but he's back at practice this week and is feeling good.

Brown suffered a groin injury in Week 6 at Denver. He was limited in Wednesday's practice, but listed as a full participant on Thursday.

"I am back and ready right now," Brown said. "I feel good."

Brown said the Buccaneers will provide a challenge.

"They have a lot of big playmakers," Brown said of the Buccaneers. "Jameis (Winston) has a big arm, and their running backs are very fast and explosive, and they have a really good receiving corps that makes a lot of big plays. We have to be ready to play and make plays when they come to us."

Injuries

Cornerback Adoree' Jackson (foot), cornerback Chris Milton (calf), linebacker Sharif Finch (shoulder) and tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) did not practice on Thursday for the Titans.

Receiver Corey Davis (illness), who missed on Wednesday, practiced on Thursday.

Along with Brown (groin), defensive lineman Jurrell Casey (shoulder), tackle Jack Conklin (quad), guard Nate Davis (rib), linebacker Rashaan Evans (shoulder), and linebacker Wesley Woodyard (ankle) all appear on the Injury Report, but they were on the practice field today.

Casey and Evans were listed as limited participants on the Injury Report while the rest were full-go.

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24, 2019 - Wide receiver A.J. Brown #11 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans