NASHVILLE – Rookies, your "Welcome to the NFL" moment is under way.
At least one of them.
Members of the Titans rookie class are in town this weekend for the team's rookie minicamp. Over the next three days, they'll get their first taste of the NFL experience.
The team's eight-man rookie class is already at Saint Thomas Sports Park, from first-round pick Caleb Farley to sixth-round picks Racey McMath and Brady Breeze. Five of those players signed their rookie deals on Thursday.
Also, 10 undrafted free agents have been signed and they're taking part, along with five players invited to practice sessions and meetings on a tryout basis.
In the past, some of those players have been signed.
Players began arriving in Nashville on Wednesday night. Since, they've had physicals, and gone through COVID-19 testing. Players started going through virtual meetings on Thursday afternoon, and those will continue over the next few days.
On Friday, players will be on the field with coaches for the first time. Another session on Saturday will be open to reporters (photos and videos will be permitted this day) before a closed walkthrough practice on Sunday. NFL teams are allowed a specific amount of time with players each day. In addition to the practice field, the Titans are utilizing space in their indoor practice facility, and the team continues to follow COVID-19 spacing protocols in the locker room, and training room.
Because of limited numbers, the Titans are expected to put the players through a lot of individual work on the field in the coming days rather than 11-on-11 drills.
This weekend will be the first time Todd Downing takes the field as offensive coordinator, after he replaced Arthur Smith earlier this offseason. New Titans senior defensive assistant Jim Schwartz is also expected to take part in this weekend's sessions.
A handful of other players with limited experience are also eligible to take part in the rookie camp.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is scheduled to speak with reporters after Saturday's session, along with several of the team's draft picks.
The Titans hope to make it through the rookie minicamp injury-free, while also laying the groundwork for what's to come. There will be mistakes, but coaches hope the players will learn from them as they begin to find their way in the NFL.
This weekend is just the start.
