Tennessee Titans Jack Conklin proclaims he’s starting RT in 2019
Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin isn’t mincing words when talking about his job as the team’s starter.
Don’t tell Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin that he might not be this team’s starting right tackle at any point in 2019.
After the team’s first day of practice at training camp, Conklin proclaimed that the Titans’ starting right tackle spot is his this season, according to Paul Kuharsky:
.@jack_conklin78: “It’s my spot. I’m the right tackle for this team.” Says he did not re-tear the ACL, had different complications. #Titans pic.twitter.com/E2Q8jwnNig
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 26, 2019
Here’s more from Conklin, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
“I know I can be an All-Pro offensive tackle and it’s time to prove to everybody again who I am and what I can do.”
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) July 26, 2019
Back in the Saddle: @Titans RT @Jack_Conklin78 ready to prove himself again.
READ https://t.co/3ih914PFXs pic.twitter.com/5DCDWBdyL9
Conklin, who tore his ACL during the 2017 season in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots, says he did not re-tear his ACL at the end of last season, nor did he require surgery to fix this newer knee injury.
Instead, Conklin just went through some rehab during the offseason and says his knee feels much better than even its pre-surgery version, according to Terry McCormick of Titans Insider.
Jack Conklin said he did not need further surgery and only rehabbed from the second knee injury last December. Said he feels stronger than he did before the surgery. @Titans
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) July 26, 2019
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota also noticed that Conklin has been moving better this year.
Mariota said Jack Conklin looked bigger, faster and stronger than last year. Said he probably deserved an off-season award.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) July 26, 2019
Before tearing his ACL, Conklin seemed to be on a star trajectory at right tackle. Since then, things have been very up and down for him and the Titans did not exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal during the offseason.
With fellow tackle Dennis Kelly playing so well in Conklin’s absence last season, there was a strong belief he would challenge and potentially beat Conklin out for the starting gig.
While that could still happen at some point during the regular season, the impending suspension of left tackle Taylor Lewan changes things a lot. Now Kelly will be tasked with taking over in Lewan’s place until the former first-round pick returns from a four-game suspension.
But that may only be a reprieve for Conklin. He still has to play well and stay healthy for 16 games, or else he could find Kelly ultimately taking his spot.
Not to mention, Conklin has to prove he’s worthy of a long-term deal from the Titans, or another team when he hits the open market next offseason.
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No matter what, Conklin clearly looks motivated to bounce back.