Why Are So Many Titans Injured? Mike Vrabel Has An Idea
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel shot down any speculations that the injuries plaguing the team recently are linked to the strength and conditioning or training staff.
The Titans have 17 players on injured reserve and have lost their last two games to the Houston Texans (22-13) and New England Patriots (36-13) after winning their previous six, the Tennessean reports.
"I've never suffered an injury and said, 'That damn strength coach.' I never said, 'That trainer sucks.'" Vrabel said in his weekly press conference. "I know that's not the case. Some of these things are unfortunate. Some of these injuries are just kind of a part of football."
Vrabel said it isn't all on the players, though. He said young guys are encouraged to follow the routines of some of the older players who have managed to avoid injuries.
Vrabel continued: "I don't mean it's all on the player; there's just some responsibility that you take that your profession pretty much relies on your body and your health. We try to coach everything that we can, talking about routines and trying to find veteran players that have really good routines and look at their career. Like Kevin Byard, how has his career gone and what kind of career has he had? So that some of the young DBs may want to emulate that routine."
He said the injured players will continue to train and work out through Tuesday and then have off until they report back on Dec. 6.
Vrabel said the team's focus during the bye week is getting some of the players who have been out back and focusing on what the team needs.
The Titans (8-4) return in Week 14 on Dec. 12 as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) at Nissan Stadium.
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