NASHVILLE – A familiar – and welcome – sight returned to the practice field on Monday in uniform No.16.
It was Titans receiver Treylon Burks, of course.
Burks was on the practice field in individual drills for the first time since suffering a knee injury back in August, while practicing against the Vikings in Minnesota. Aside from the stretch period, it was the only period open to media.
Burks talked to reporters in the locker room before today's practice.
"I feel great," Burks said. "I'm just doing exactly what (trainer) Todd (Toriscelli) has me doing to get back, and be out there with the team."
Burks was injured during the first day of joint practices with the Vikings when he went up to make a catch on a deep ball thrown by quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Burks initially stood up, but after limping a few steps he went back to the ground.
Burks was carted off the practice field that day, but he remained in Minnesota that week and flew back with the team after the game on Saturday night.
Once back in Nashville, Burks said he's been lifting weights and doing as much conditioning as he can to make sure he'd be ready and locked in.
He said he was relieved when he found out the injury wasn't season-ending.
"Just knowing I'd already been through an ACL injury before, so it's scary when you hurt your knee," Burks said. "I was just thankful, and (I) prayed. God always comes through.
"It was kind of frustrating (at first), but I have learned not to dwell on the (negative) of it, just keep my head held high and keep improving."
The Titans aren't required to put out an Injury Report for the regular season opener against the Saints until next Wednesday, and designations won't be due until next Friday. At that point, the Titans will have to list Burks as either questionable, doubtful, or out, or they won't list him at all.
Or, if the Titans don't think Burks is close to being ready, then he could also be placed on Injured Reserve to start the year.
Burks didn't put a timetable on his return to action.
But being back on the practice field was at least a start.
"I just let God take (it)," Burks said. "I don't try and rush anything. When Todd and (the coaches and trainers) tell me that I'm good to go, I'll be prepared to go out there and play."
