Titans need to reset expectations for Treylon Burks

At the end of practice on Wednesday, tragedy struck for the Tennessee Titans when Treylon Burks fell down awkwardly and was walked inside the building by trainers.

It was devastating...until the next day when Burks practiced as if nothing had happened.

If that felt dramatic to you, just imagine seeing your social media flooded with those reports and hours of mid-day sports radio talk dedicated to a non-injury.

That was the final practice of training camp for the Titans, which means Burks went through an entire offseason without missing a single practice. Sure, he picked up the occasional bump and bruise, but who didn't?

Keep in mind, Burks was getting more snaps this year than he has been in the past considering that he was being used in multiple ways on special teams in addition to his role on offense, one that was upgraded after DeAndre Hopkins suffered a multi-week knee injury.

This is unquestionably the healthiest that Burks has been heading into a season, and wit Hopkins still questionable for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, fans could be seeing a lot from Burks early in the year.

With a new coaching staff that seems to like what Burks brings to the table, is it time for Burks to finally take his rightful place as one of the featured players on offense?

No.

Burks has become way too polarizing of a player, understandably so given the circumstances of his arrival (one he had no control over). After years of recurring injuries and failed promises, fans need to be honest with themselves about what a successful season for Burks looks like.

Barring a major injury to a starter, Burks should be a player who plays around 20% of the offense snaps this season. In terms of his market share of targets in the passing game, the bulk of that volume should go to Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd.

If everything goes according to plan, Burks' targets should be closer to Josh Whyle and Chig Okonkwo than any of the starting receivers. Perhaps his target share will be closer to Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, too, but it's easy to envision the running backs being targeted more often than him.

Burks will always carry the first-round pick tag, but if he is ever going to prove that he was worth a first-round pick (if that ship hasn't already sailed), it won't be the season the Titans are deeper at receiver than ever before.

This season, his goals are to stay healthy for 17 games, catch a pass or two per game that makes fans say, "Nice catch, Burks." The goal is to look like he belongs with the starters when he sees the field.

If he goes down hard and walks off gingerly, that isn't ideal, but it isn't the end of the world, just like Wednesday's "injury scare" was a big nothing-burger. The most important thing is that he doesn't develop those nagging injuries that have so often derailed him in the past.

Two months ago, most fans were looking at Burks as a potential trade piece for a Day 3 pick, or as a guy who was going to have to compete to make the roster. Burks had a strong training camp and came out the other side largely unscathed. Nonetheless, the expectations for him should still be that any production he gives the Titans is a bonus instead of his success being mandatory to fielding a good offense like it was in years past.

Just enjoy the ride this season and hope that he surpasses reasonable expectations. If he doesn't, the passing offense will be just fine, and that's a great sign of how much better the Titans have gotten at receiver this offseason.