NASHVILLE – Caleb Farley's road hasn't been an easy one.
In college, Farley lost his mother to breast cancer. The Titans cornerback credits his late mom, Robin Farley, for instilling in him the faith that has carried him through tough times.
Those lessons have been valuable as Farley aims to reestablish himself in his second NFL season after an injury-shortened rookie season, and some frustrating times dealing with injuries in recent years.
"There's absolutely been times in my life where it's hard to see the light," Farley said after Tuesday's OTA. "But I try no matter what to see the light and enjoy the light. I am going to get there."
A first-round draft in the 2021 NFL Draft, Farley is working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his rookie season in October.
Outfitted with a yellow jersey during OTAs in some drills, a sign he's still not 100 percent, Farley said he's feeling better each day. The knee brace on his left knee serves as a reminder of his misfortune, but it's not getting him down.
Not now.
"Trials and tribulations come in many different forms," Farley said. "But I have a strong faith and I have a good close circle that I lean on and that helps me get through a lot. I am in a good mental place right now.
"I am extremely confident, and I am mentally better than I've ever been."
Selected 22nd overall in last year's NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Farley played in just three games in 2021 before suffering the season-ending knee injury. He was credited with two tackles and a pass defensed against Jacksonville before starting against Buffalo the following week.
Then came the injury, in the second quarter of the team's October 18 against the Bills. Farley had recorded a pair of tackles before suffering the injury.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and General Manager Jon Robinson have both praised Farley this offseason, saying he's made great strides during his rehabilitation and on the field in OTAs since being placed on Injured Reserve.
Last August, Farley started training camp on the team's Non-Football Injury list, as he dealt with recovery and rehabilitation from the back surgery he had in college. After recovering from issues related to his offseason back surgery, it was a shoulder injury that kept him out of action early in the 2021 season.
It's the knee that's now slowing him down.
"I don't really put timetables on it or anything," Farley said when asked when he'll be ready to compete. "I just work as hard as I can to get back as soon as possible.
"You have to enjoy each day. You can't rush anything, you have to do what you can each day."
Farley said he's put on some weight this offseason, and he feels stronger.
The most important thing in his mind is to stay in good shape, and to get healthy.
This much is certain: He's plenty motivated.
"I am taking it day by day and enjoying the process and loving what I do," he said. "I want to continue to gain the respect of my coaches and my teammates, and the community. I am just thankful for my opportunity.
"I am a competitor, and I've always been a competitor. Everything I said I wanted to do still want to do. I want to win, and I want to dominate."
