NASHVILLE – Jeffery Simmons doesn't have a return date marked on his calendar.
Right now, the Titans first-round pick is focused on rehabbing, working, learning the playbook and getting himself ready to go as soon as possible.
Of course he'd love to play in 2019, but right now he's focused on what has to come first. Plus, he knows that decision will be up to the medical staff.
"I'm not rushing anything," Simmons said on Tuesday following the team's minicamp. "If I don't play this year, I'm fine with it. But my goal is to get healthy on my time and on this team's time. There's no time limit and when I can come back. Every day I come to work, and I'm putting my mindset at 'I want to get back today.' That's how I come to work every day and try to get better."
Simmons, the 19th overall pick of the NFL Draft, suffered a torn ACL during a workout in February. After he was picked, the Titans said they'd let the big defensive lineman rehab with the team, and chart his progress.
So when the Titans have been practicing, Simmons has been working inside on his rehab and in the weight room.
"I knew coming in this was the plan," Simmons said. "I'm grateful for this opportunity, that they trusted me that I'm going to come in and get the work done off the field. I'm trusting the process. It's not too frustrating right now. My goal is to get healthy and when I get back on the field, it's full go."
Simmons was a beast at Mississippi State, racking up 163 tackles, seven sacks, 32.5 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles in three seasons. He began the offseason as a potential top-10 pick.
He wants to be an impact player for the Titans, in time.
"While they practice, that's when I'm in the weight room," he said. "I get here in the morning, do my rehab, stay here after and do rehab. Like I said, whatever the plan they tell me to do, that's what I follow. … And the playbook, I am attacking the playbook just like I am attacking the rehab.
"I am just coming in here and following the plan, and doing what they ask me to do. Honestly, I'm not sure (when I'll be allowed to jog). I'm just trusting the plan, coming to work every day, just getting better every day. Whenever that time comes, I can't wait."
The Tennessee Titans select Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons in the first round (19th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. (Photos: AP, Mississippi State)
Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) rests during warm-up drills before their NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons strips the ball from Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) as he tries to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) strips the ball from Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) as he tries to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) strips the ball from Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) as he tries to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
LSU running back Leonard Fournette (7) dives to recover his own fumble in front of Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (98) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. LSU win 23-20. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight (8) is pressured by Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (98) as he sets up to pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) is grabbed from behind by Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) after a short gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Alabama won 31-24. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs past Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) for a short gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Alabama won 31-24. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) pushes through a double team of Stephen F. Austin offensive linemen on a play during the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen is sacked by Mississippi State defender Jeffery Simmons during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) prepares to tackle Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. (26) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. The play was called back for a penalty. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Louisville running back Dae Williams (25) stretches to avoid a touchback tackle by Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (94) during the second half of the TaxSlayer Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. Mississippi State beat Louisville 31-27. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Mississippi wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) hauls in a 38-yard touchdown pass reception as Southern Illinois safety Michael Elbert (37) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss. Brown and Mississippi State's Jeffery Simmons are the top two candidates for the Conerly Trophy, which is given to the state's top college football player on Tuesday night, Nov. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons speaks with reporters about being a veteran player on the young football team, during Mississippi State Media Day, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) looks for an open receiver while Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) pressures him during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 6 2018. Mississippi State won 23-9. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
FILE- In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) pushes through a double team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stephen F. Austin in Starkville, Miss. Simmons is a possible pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat (9) forces Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) to fumble as he attempts to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Starkville, Miss. A main reason Mississippi State is allowing fewer than 13 points per game is a defensive front anchored by end Montez Sweat and tackle Jeffery Simmons. Sweat has 18 sacks in 19 career games. Mississippi State plays at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Former Mississippi State defensive players Jeffery Simmons, left, and Montez Sweat, joke around during Pro Day at the university, as other players were being tested by NFL football scouts and coaches, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. Sweat ran some agility drills, while Simmons stayed on the sidelines as he recovers from a leg injury. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) signs toward the Florida bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Florida won 13-6. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Former Mississippi State defensive player Jeffery Simmons, watches as other players were being tested by NFL scouts and coaches, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. Simmons stayed on the sidelines as he recovers from a leg injury. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler (3) reacts with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) after intercepting the ball during an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Former Mississippi State defensive player Jeffery Simmons walks around the Palmero Center while a number of former teammates were being tested by NFL scouts and coaches, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. Simmons stayed on the sidelines as he recovers from a leg injury. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94) waits for the next drill during warm-ups before their NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (94), left, and defensive end Montez Sweat (9), right, share a laugh during warm-up drills before their NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
09-23-17 FB at Georgia Jeffery Simmons #94 Photo by Kelly Price
10-27-18 FB vs. Texas A&M Jeffery Simmons #94 Fans Photo by Kelly Donoho
10-06-18 FB vs. Auburn Jeffery Simmons #94 Photo by Blake Williams
09-02-17 FB vs. Charleston Southern Jeffrey Simmons #94 Photo by Kelly Price
09-17-17 FB vs LSU Jeffery Simmons #94 Photo by Brooklyn Prewett
09-02-17 FB vs. Charleston Southern Jeffrey Simmons #94 Photo by Kelly Price
11-10-18 FB at Alabama Jeffery Simmons #94 Photo by Kelly Donoho
09-30-17 FB at Auburn Jeffery Simmons #94 Photo by Kelly Price
10-27-18 FB vs. Texas A&M Jeffery Simmons #94 Celebration Photo by Trevor Birchett
