Four Players to Watch as Tennessee Titans Training Camp Begins

With the Tennessee Titans starting training camp tomorrow, there are four players in particular who should be watched carefully.

1. RUNNING BACK Derrick Henry

The Tennessee Titans’ Heisman Trophy-winning backup running back received a lot of attention during the offseason. Off the field, he sent fans into a frenzy when he inconsequentially missed an optional veteran minicamp to finish classes at the University of Alabama. On the field, fans continue to lobby for Henry to supplant Pro Bowler DeMarco Murray as the Titans’ lead back.

Henry is certainly someone to keep an eye on as Training Camp begins for the Tennessee Titans, but not for depth chart reasons. Unless Murray suffers a significant injury or unforeseeable regression this season, he will remain the Titans’ bell-cow, and Henry will be the backup. Though Henry’s spot on the depth chart is already set in stone, his role on the offense is a bit of a mystery.

Prior to the start of free agency, head coach Mike Mularkey made the following comment regarding Henry:

"“Derrick is an important part of our offense, but DeMarco is the guy. He’s been the guy and he still is, though game plan changes every week based on how we want to attack. Derrick will be a big part of our offense. I like the 1-2 punch.”"

Additionally, Mularkey has repeatedly praised Henry for the shape he’s in and the speed he’s shown during offseason workouts. Murray will receive a vast majority of the carries, but Henry’s workload could see an increase, though minimal, in 2017.

Earlier in the offseason, I wrote that Henry needs a defined role in the Titans’ offense, similar to a closing pitcher in baseball. It seems that he will, at the very least, have a much more defined role than he did last season, and personnel groupings in the first practices of camp will show what that role could be.