NASHVILLE
Cam Atkinson Jersey Kids , Tenn. (AP) Derrick Henry has patiently waited for his chance to shine and now heading into his third NFL season the
2015 Heisman Trophy winner will have his chance.
Henry isn’t sharing any specific goals for yards or touchdowns, but the Tennessee Titans running back made one thing clear: He is looking forward to a
big season.
”I definitely want to be dominant this year,” Henry said, adding that he plans to make the most of any opportunities he gets. The former Alabama standout
said he just wants to ”make plays for this offense, be a consistent back. Make
plays any chance that I’m in there and just do what I’m asked.”
And above all else, Henry wants to ”help this team win games.”
The soft-spoken Henry gave a glimpse of just what he could do in the NFL in the Titans’ comeback victory in Kansas City , running for 156 yards for the
second-best playoff performance in franchise history.
But Henry doesn’t define being dominant by putting up big numbers.
Henry’s definition is ”having a great game every game and have an impact every game at my position. …. How I make plays and what I do throughout the game
to help this team win.”
There were questions why general manager Jon Robinson used his third pick in the second round in 2016 to select Henry only weeks after trading for DeMarco
Murray , the 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Turned out to be a good
move; the Titans cut Murray in March after his production dropped last
season.
They also signed Dion Lewis to join Henry in the backfield, but the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry led the Titans with 744 yards rushing last season despite
starting only two games and getting eight fewer carries than Murray.
”Dions’ a great guy
Womens Tom Pyatt Jersey , and we’ve been getting along very well,” Henry said. ”Very excited to have a tandem together.”
The Titans aren’t saying who will start at running back. Tennessee plays Aug. 9 at Green Bay the regular season opener is Sept. 9 at Miami.
Lewis was signed for his skills catching passes out of the backfield to fit the new offense being installed by coordinator Matt LaFleur. Henry didn’t have
as much of a chance to showcase his hands in college with just 17 catches, but
he did have 35 yards receiving in last year’s wild-card game in Kansas City.
That helped Henry set a franchise-record in the postseason with 191 yards from scrimmage, topping the mark of 178 yards set by Billy Cannon on Jan. 1,
1961, in the AFL.
First-year head coach Mike Vrabel said everyone is working for a starting job.
”As we continue to work through the offense and through the plays and the complimentary type of football that we want to run, some of those things will
sort themselves out. The plays that we like with Dion and the plays that we like
with Derrick are going to start to emerge,” Vrabel said.
One thing’s for sure: LaFleur’s offense will be leaning on outside zone runs, and that should play into Henry’s strength. That’s what he ran in college at
Alabama where he became the Crimson Tide’s all-time leading rusher with 3,591
yards and 42 TDs rushing.
”I like it a lot
Evgenii Dadonov Jersey Kids ,” Henry said of the offensive scheme.
NOTES: Safety Johnathan Cyprien walked off the field Wednesday with trainers after apparently hurting his left knee. … Vrabel said CB Malcolm Butler and DL
Jurrell Casey had the day off to help them with a couple issues hoping they
return Thursday. Vrabel said rookie LB Rashaan Evans, the No. 22 pick overall,
is day to day with an unspecified injury. … The Titans placed OT John Theus on
the reserve/retired list.
—
Josh Gordon got the go-ahead from the NFL to practice. Now one of his hamstrings is holding him back.
The former Pro Bowl wide receiver, whose career has been derailed by drug and alcohol addictions, was released by the league on Saturday to resume all
on-field activities with the Browns after being limited to attending meetings,
working out and watching practice since returning from a three-week absence.
"He's now cleared to return to all activities, including games," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email to The Associated Press.
Gordon took part in the team's pre-practice walk-through on the field after the team removed him from the active/non-football injury list. The team was
going to bring him along slowly, and then that plan got altered because Gordon
"tweaked" his hamstring a few days ago.
"I am not going to put him out there until I think he is totally ready to go," coach Hue Jackson said following practice. "Hopefully
Womens Marian Hossa Jersey , we will work through that. A little minor setback, but we will get him out there soon."
The Browns have eagerly awaited the chance to get Gordon back on the field since he returned on Aug. 24 after leaving on the eve of training camp to
receive treatment and counseling in Florida connected to his struggle with drug
and alcohol dependence.
Jackson had hoped to play the 27-year-old receiver in this week's exhibition finale against Detroit, so Gordon would be ready to face Pittsburgh in the Sept.
9 opener. However, the hamstring issue has put everything on hold.
Jackson said it's unlikely that Gordon will face the Lions on Thursday.
"I don't want to stick him out there if there's a chance we will not have him for the opener," Jackson said. "I want to make sure he's ready to go."
Following the morning walk-through, Gordon chatted with fellow receiver Jarvis Landry while walking back to the team's facility. The Browns said Gordon
will speak to the media Monday.
Gordon, who has played in just 10 games since 2013 because of league-imposed suspensions, left the Browns before training camp opened to receive treatment as
part of his recovery.
His latest return has come in phases, but linebacker Christian Kirksey said it was great to see Gordon making positive steps.
"He just brings that energy back," Kirksey said. "I was excited to see him. We all know what Josh can do and I'm just ready for when he gets back to the
next step or whatever he's got to do ??and just get in that equipment.
"I want to see him excel. He's a talented young man. He has God-given ability and we're fully behind him. I know the things he's capable of doing and I'm just
excited to see him get the opportunity to go showcase his talent and the proper
steps he needs to take to be fully ready."
With Gordon on the field
Jean-Gabriel Pageau Jersey , Cleveland will have one of league's most potent receiving groups. The team remains interested in signing former Dallas star Dez
Bryant. The free agent visited the Browns last week and the sides have remained
in contact.
The thought of Gordon, Landry and Bryant together on the same team is intriguing.
When healthy, Gordon is one of the league's premier playmakers. He led the NFL with 1,646 yards receiving in 2013, and the Browns are hoping he can help
them this season.
"It's very exciting because it just opens up another dimension for our offense," Browns safety Damarious Randall said. "Once Josh gets going, he is
going to demand double teams. You want guys that are going to demand two guys.
So now it makes it a bit easier for the quarterback, the running game, you name
it. I'm just looking forward to seeing him out there on the field catching
passes."
NOTES: QB Tyrod Taylor practiced despite dislocating his left pinky in Thursday's win over Philadelphia. Taylor's hand was wrapped for protection. ...
Rookie CB Denzel Ward practiced two days after suffering back spasms while
making a tackle. The first-round pick got twisted as he brought down Eagles
tight end Zach Ertz. ... Starting RG Kevin Zeitler (calf) and rookie WR Antonio
Callaway (groin) also practiced after missing time. ... S Damarious Randall
(knee) remains sidelined after his knee "locked up" during warmups
Thursday.
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