Henry, Troupe back on field for practice
NASHVILLE — If any of the Tennessee Titans believe in omens, then Wednesday’s injury report had to be a good sign.
A franchise that went 5-11 in 2004 with injured starters missing a league-high 136 games, not counting those lost by backups, issued its first injury report of the new season Wednesday. It looked downright skimpy compared to some of the lengthy lists from last season.
The report was limited to five players, and running back Travis Henry worked out after the Titans let him use most of the preseason to heal up a case of turf toe. Tight end Ben Troupe, who broke his left foot on May 23, also was on the practice field.
Henry said he felt good and is ready for the season opener Sunday at Pittsburgh because he has been following practices closely since hurting his left foot in the exhibition opener on Aug. 12. He worked out with the team Monday, and he said he felt good Tuesday.
“I feel even better today. It’s a full go. I feel great,” he said.
Sunday will mark Henry’s debut with the Titans in his first game since Tennessee picked him up in a trade just before training camp opened, and he has yet to take the field with Chris Brown in a game. But Henry doesn’t believe the lack of work in the preseason will hurt.
“This is going on my fifth year. As far as game speed and stuff, I’m not going to have a problem with that. It would’ve been good for me to get some work in the preseason, but I don’t think it’ll affect me,” Henry said.
“I’m probably about 90 percent. I feel good.”
The Titans will have to decide if Troupe has gotten enough work and decide if they keep him active. They currently have four tight ends on the roster, and coach Jeff Fisher said it would put too much stress on other positions to keep all four active.
“All things considered, it is nice to get him back on the practice field. We have to take into consideration, if you deactivate one tight end to keep Ben up, and if Ben can’t go, then you are already at a disadvantage. We have got a decision to make,” Fisher said.
Troupe set franchise rookie records for tight ends with 33 receptions and 329 yards receiving. He was third on the team in receptions last year.
With new offensive coordinator Norm Chow, undrafted rookie tight end Gregg Guenther led all players with 14 receptions in the preseason. That has Troupe eager to return.
“I’m real encouraged, real encouraged after today. It’s good we started out the first day back in pads. I had a lot of fun out there today. The big thing for me is to stay poised and not really have an injury. I’m not going to be out there and try to baby it. That’s when I’ll get hurt out there again,” he said.