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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –** The Titans have informed running back DeMarco Murray that he will be released.
Murray, who joined the Titans prior to the 2016 season, ran for 659 yards and six touchdowns last season on 184 carries. The seven-year pro carried the ball 293 times for 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016, when he played in his third career Pro Bowl.
"I want to thank DeMarco for his contributions as a Titan, not only for what he did on the field but also in the locker room and in the community," Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. "He was a pro in every facet and we wish him and his family the best moving forward."
In his two seasons with the team, Murray helped change the culture in the locker room at Saint Thomas Sports Park. He held teammates accountable, and showed leadership and professionalism with his work ethic and approach.
Murray, who played his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and then spent a season in Philadelphia, dealt with a number of injuries during the course of the 2017 season, when second-year running back Derrick Henry took on a bigger workload. Murray missed the regular season finale against the Jaguars with a knee injury, and he didn't suit up in playoff games against the Chiefs and Patriots.
Henry led the Titans with 744 yards and five touchdowns on 176 carries in 2017. The former Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Alabama also caught 11 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. Henry made some big plays down the stretch, and he turned in a 156-yard rushing performance in a playoff win at Kansas City.
Robinson, speaking at the NFL Combine last month, said he was encouraged by what he saw from Henry not only in the last month, but during the entire season.
"He did a nice job," Robinson said of Henry. "He had some really strong runs for us, and had some good play time during the season, too. The game here (vs the Colts) he kind of grinded it out there and kind of sealed it for us. His performance in the playoff game on Kansas City was a good one. We are glad Derrick is on the football team and look forward to handing it to him, throwing it to him, and getting it in his hands so he can make yards.
"He is a bigger back as we all know, and has good speed in the open field. He is a guy who can get downhill, and he has the ability to pick and slide and get up in a crease. We are looking forward to him getting back, and working with him in the new offense. … He is obviously a little more acclimated to the pro game. I think he can be a guy we can hand the ball to, and throw it to."
In addition to Henry, the Titans also have running backs David Fluellen and Khalfani Muhammad on the roster.
TitansOnline.com looks back at RB DeMarco Murray's 2016 Pro Bowl season. (AP Photos)
