NASHVILLE, Tenn. —The Titans just wrapped up another training camp practice on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out …
Receiver Tajae Sharpe had a good day. He made catches in the middle of the field, and also caught a deep ball. He also made a really nice play to keep quarterback Marcus Mariota from getting intercepted.
Rookie cornerbacks Kalan Reed and LeShaun Sims each turned in eye-catching plays. Reed stripped receiver Justin Hunter on a deep ball, and Sims made a great on the football to nearly intercept Mariota.
Running back DeMarco Murray continues to impress. He made several nice cuts and looked smooth running the ball, but he did drop a pass in the flat.
Veteran Andre Johnson is off to a nice start. He showed some nifty moves in 1-on-1 drills to get open, and made some tough catches.
I consistently notice receiver Tre McBride making plays in practice. He got open on a deep ball in 1-on-1 drills.
Cornerback Antwon Blake picked off quarterback Matt Cassel, but the play was negated because of a penalty.
Running back Antonio Andrews looked to be all the way back after being limited earlier in camp with a hamstring injury. Andrews ripped off a nice run late in practice.
Cornerback Perrish Cox nearly had an interception, and he was around the ball. Coach Mike Mularkey praised him after the session.
Cornerback Cody Riggs also had a nice day. He was around the ball a lot.
Linebacker Brian Orakpo nearly had an interception. Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey was disruptive.
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Learning curve**
Running back Derrick Henry regularly causes the crowd to get worked up with some impressive plays in practice.
He made a really nice run on Thursday, and continues to catch the ball well out of the backfield.
Mularkey said after practice he'd like to see Henry get out of the gate quicker in practices, however.
"I will say this about Derrick,'' Mularkey said. "I don't think he's a fast starter. I've got to talk to him about that tempo period because we've got a bunch of guys up front that are creating things for him and he's not hitting it like I'd like to see him hit it. Later in the practice—I hope that's not the case in games. We need him to be full-strength. As soon as we call his number, he needs to hit things better."
Henry said himself he's still learning.
"I just need to keep playing faster,'' he said. "It's not a rookie thing, it's just something I need to work on."
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Injuries**
Receiver Kendall Wright (hamstring) did not practice. Mularkey said he'd like to get him back as soon as possible, but the team doesn't want him to come back too soon and suffer a setback.
"It's really crucial,'' Mularkey said of the time missed. "This is the time we need him with the passing game. Nothing we can do about it, but I wish it hadn't happened. But it is what it is. The quicker we can get him back, and he'll be a large part of that—what he does, how much he's in that training room. But it's critical. Every day is critical in camp, and he's missing. He's missing a lot every day."
Cornerback Brice McCain (ankle), linebacker Aaron Wallace (ankle), center Andy Gallik (knee) and linebacker Kevin Dodd (foot) did not practice. Dodd remains on PUP.
Titans tidbits
The parents of Titans general manager Jon Robinson attended practice.
NFL officials worked the session, and they were scheduled to meet with the team later to discuss the league's rule changes.
Former Titans offensive lineman Brad Hopkins attended practice, and chatted with first-round pick Jack Conklin afterward.
Tim Shaw, who played from 2010-2012 with the team and is now battling ALS, was listed on the roster handed out to fans and media at practice after signing with the team. Later in the day, he was placed on the team's Reserve/Retired list.
Titans players take the field for Day 5 of training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Donn Jones Photography.com)