The Tennessee Titans kicked off organized team activities this month, with the first session open to the media on Tuesday.
The next open OTA is scheduled for Thursday, May 30.
Here are five observations from the start of OTAs.
1. Tight end Delanie Walker and defensive end Jurrell Casey are back in action.
Walker suffered a leg injury in the first week of the 2018 season against the Miami Dolphins, and has been sidelined ever since. On Tuesday, even though the pass-catcher was limited, he was present on the field for OTA’s.
The veteran Casey, who sustained a knee injury in December, also participated.
2. Wide receiver Adam Humphries will play a role.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout saw a good bit of action on Tuesday, making it look easy as he reeled in several receptions. Humphries is a versatile player, but will likely make an impact mostly as a slot receiver after coming off a career year.
3. Both quarterbacks look solid — for the most part.
The topic of the Titans quarterback position is a hot one as starter Marcus Mariota enters the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, making the 2019 season a pivotal one for him.
Mariota had good chemistry going with receiver Corey Davis, and had a nice throw to wideout Tajae Sharpe as well. He wasn’t totally accurate though, and was picked off by cornerback LeShaun Sims on a pass intended for receiver Taywan Taylor.
There’s also former Miami Dolphins signal-caller Ryan Tannehill, who was selected by general manager Jon Robinson to serve as an insurance policy for Mariota.
Tannehill had a solid practice overall, with his best throw of the day arguably being his downfielder to receiver Cameron Batson.
4. A.J. Brown is getting a lot of good looks.
A lot of hype has surrounded the receiver since the Titans took his name off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft. Brown continued to impress, spending as much time as possible with Mariota and coaches as he can this offseason.
Perhaps the most notable thing about Brown is the fact his work ethic matches his talent level. He even spent an extra 30 minutes with top receiver Corey Davis after practice to improve his skills.
5. A number of players were missing.
Cornerback Adoree Jackson, tackle Jack Conklin, tight end Jonnu Smith and kicker Ryan Succop were among the names of players not spotted in the day’s OTA.
No details were given on their status, and it’s also important to note that OTAs are voluntary.
