Report: Derrick Henry Could Return For Playoffs

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Derrick Henry. Photo: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry, NFL’s best running back, could be returning just in time for the playoffs after being sidelined for two months with a foot injury.

“We’ve discussed it. We’ll see where that goes,” said Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel at a press conference on Monday (Jan. 3). “[Henry’s] doing some work today. We’ll see when that window opens. We’ll probably make a decision midweek.”

Henry hasn’t played in a game or participated in football activities after suffering a foot injury against the Indianapolis Colt on Oct. 31. He’s since had surgery and was expected to be out for 6-9 weeks.

Prior to being put on the injured reserve list, Henry led the league in rushing yards with 937 yards after Week 8 and is currently sixth on the season.

2021 Music City Bowl Shines With Attendance Record

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Photo: Courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics

The 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl was one for the history books–not just for the exciting overtime game between Tennessee and Purdue, but also for the records the event broke.

Nissan Stadium welcomed 69, 489 fans, the most ever to attend a Music City Bowl.

“The passion of our fan base is just not surpassed anywhere in college football,” said Volunteers first year head coach Josh Heupel in a postgame press conference. “They were on fire. Driving up with the buses tonight was a special scene, as good as I’ve ever been a part of. [We] appreciate all of their support tonight and through the bowl season, but really all season long. [We] appreciated them being on this journey with us.”

The intense matchup ended after Purdue kicked a game-winning field goal in the team’s first possession of overtime with a final score of 48-45.

UT redshirt senior quarterback Hendon Hooker had a record-breaking night. He threw for a career-high 378 yards and five touchdowns, completing 26-of-41 passes with no interceptions. With the addition 56 rushing yards, Hooker set the Tennessee bowl record for individual total offense at 434.

Hooker’s five touchdown’s also tied a Music City Bowl record for most touchdown’s thrown in the game’s history.

Junior wide receiver Cedric Tillman broke some records himself with seven catches for 150 yards and a Music City Bowl record three receiving touchdowns. His first-quarter touchdown also set a Tennessee single-season record, becoming the first player in program history to haul in a receiving touchdown in seven consecutive contests.

This season’s Volunteers finished the season with a record of 7-6, and set program records for points scored (511) and touchdowns (67) in a single season.

Playoff Possibilities: What’s Next After Titans Win Division For Second Consecutive Year?

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Ryan Tannehill. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

For the second straight year the Tennessee Titans have won the AFC South after a demonstrative 34-3 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday (Jan. 2).

The team overcame injuries, including losing Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry to a foot injury in Week 8. The team also struggled to keep consistent starters healthy after many were forced to go under Covid-19 protocols.

Regardless, the Titans are currently 11-5 and sitting in the No. 1 for the playoffs.

“Winning takes care of everything, ” said head coach Mike Vrabel in a postgame press conference. “That’s what we tell them all the time. The mentality was that we were just getting started. We’ll have to prepare for a team that’s been playing really well and that’s already beaten us once this year.”

With one week left in the season, what is next for the Titans?

Offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and head coach Mike Vrabel. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

Due to the changes in the NFL Playoffs this year, there is an extra Wild Card spot. This means the No. 1 seed in each conference will receive a bye while all other teams will play in the first week of the postseason.

At the moment, the Titans and Kansas City Chiefs are tied at 11-5, but Tennessee holds the top seed due to its early season victory over the Chiefs. All the Titans need to do now is beat the Houston Texans on Sunday, Jan. 9, to clinch the top spot. This will secure the bye week and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

If the Titans fail to beat the Texans, who they’ve already lost to once this year, Tennessee will need a Chiefs loss, a Bengals loss, and a Patriots loss; or Chiefs loss, a Bengals loss, and a Bills win.

“You want to play your best football at the end of the year,” added quarterback Ryan Tannehill in a postgame press conference. “I think we set ourselves up through the year to be in a good position, but you want to play your best football going into January. That’s what the great teams do. They find a way to get hot and build confidence going into the playoffs.”

Titans Safety Kevin Byard Named To 2022 Pro Bowl Roster

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Kevin Byard. Photo: By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Titans’ safety Kevin Byard has been named to the 2022 Pro Bowl after a strong defensive performance this season.

Byard was the only Titans added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl squad. It’s his second Pro Bowl selection after being named in 2017.

The MTSU graduate has totaled 73 tackles, five interceptions, one force fumble, one fumble recovery, one tackle for a loss, and 13 passes defended this season for Tennessee.

Byard came up big for the Titans many times, scoring a touchdown on a fumble return against the Jaguars and returning an interception for a touchdown in the team’s win over the Rams. He also set up the game-winning scoring drive in overtime by intercepting quarterback Carson Wentz in an October win over the Colts.

Though Byard is the only Titan to be selected to the Pro Bowl, other Tennessee players have been named to the Pro Bowl alternate list, including defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, outside linebacker Harold Landry, long snapper Morgan Cox, left tackle Taylor Lewan, guard Rodger Saffold, defensive lineman Denico Autry and linebacker/special teams ace Ola Adeniyi.

The superstars of the AFC and NFC will face off in the 2022 Pro Bowl on Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. CT at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game will be televised on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and be simulcast on ABC.

MTSU Defeats Toledo At 2021 Bahamas Bowl

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MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill hoisting the Bahamas Bowl trophy with the team. Photo: Courtesy of Middle Tennessee Athletic Department

Middle Tennessee State University football pulled off a comeback against Toledo to win the 2021 Bahamas Bowl 31-24 at Thomas Robinson Stadium on Friday, Dec. 17.

The Blue Raiders trailed at halftime 17-14 but went on to outscore Toledo 17-7.

“I’m really proud of our team,” MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill shared in a postgame press conference. “The toughness, the guts, the competitiveness, the resilience, the mental toughness they showed today was fun to watch. I told them at halftime that I believed in them and I believed they were made of the right stuff. They were made of the right stuff.”

Middle Tennessee’s freshman quarterback Nicholas Vattiato was named offensive player of the game after completing 23-of-35 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile DQ Thomas earned defensive player of the game, leading the Blue Raiders with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, holding the Rockets to just 4-of-15 on third down.

“It was something that we planned going in,” explained Vattiato. “Me and Mike both knew the game plan and we felt comfortable with it going in. We had practiced it the last two weeks… I think that we both did a great job and it become more comfortable running in and out throughout the entire game, and that benefited our team.”

The win is Middle Tennessee’s first bowl win since their 35-30 win over Arkansas State in the 2017 Camellia Bowl. The win also improves the Blue Raider’s record to 7-6, securing their first winning season since the 8-6 2018 C-USA East Champions campaign.

Titans Partner With Nashville-Based Boutique For Special Clothing Collaboration

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Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are teaming up with Rooted, a Nashville-based boutique, to drop a special clothing collaboration.

The clothing line will feature two shirts, a crewneck sweatshirt, pants and jacket, available in stores and online starting today (Dec. 17) at 7 p.m. CT.

Chris Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

“When we first met with Rooted, we knew we were dealing with a very special brand built on the talents and dedication of its people,” says Titans Sr. Vice President, Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer, Gil Beverly. “Their products are well-made and thoughtfully designed, and they already have quite the following amongst our ‘sneakerhead’ fans. We know our fans will love the items they’ve designed and can’t wait to see them out in the streets of Nashville.”

Rooted, which opened in 2017, is a community based, design-led retail destination known for shoes and apparel. The brand’s attention to impactful relationships and community service led them to an opportunity with the Titans.

Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

“This is the type of project that people could only dream about,” says Rooted Co-Founder Jaime Bacalan. “To be able to merge the Tennessee Titans with Rooted, our passion project, doesn’t get any better. We are excited to share this with our community and Titans fans everywhere.”

To celebrate the collaboration, Rooted will host a launch party tonight at 7 p.m. at their storefront on Hermitage Avenue. Titans cheerleaders and mascot T-Rac will be on-site to celebrate the occasion.

The Titans will support the project on its social channels, as well as through featured video content at the team’s Thursday Night Football game at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 23.

Thomas Rhett, Mitchell Tenpenny & Walker Hayes To Perform At New Year’s Sporting Events

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Country artists Thomas Rhett, Mitchell Tenpenny and Walker Hayes are headlining two major sporting events over New Year’s: the NHL Winter Classic and the Orange Bowl.

Rhett, an 18x multi-Platinum and Gold-Certified country artist, will perform during the first period intermission at the sold-out Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild. The game will be played outdoors at Target Field, the home of MLB’s Minnesota Twins on Jan. 1.

The 2019 ACM Performer of the Year’s performance will be aired on TNT as part of the Winter Classic Event. The game and concert will air at 6 p.m. CT.

Tenpenny and Hayes will be performing at the highly anticipated 2021 Orange Bowl between Georgia and Michigan on New Year’s Eve.

The “Drunk Me” singer played football in high school and planned to play college football before deciding to pursue a music career. The fan fest will take place in the south lot outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT. Admission to fan fest is free for all fans with a ticket to the game.

“I’ve watched the Orange Bowl ever since I can remember,” says Tenpenny. “I’m so excited to play fan fest and get to see this game live!”

At halftime of the Orange Bowl, Hayes, the 2x Platinum singer of “Fancy Like,” will take the stage to perform the halftime show. The Orange Bowl will air on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Tennessee Quarterback Hendon Hooker To Return For 2022 Season

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Hendon Hooker. Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker will be returning to the Volunteers for the 2022 season after a stellar 2021 season, leading the team to seven wins and the TransPerfect Music City Bowl game berth.

Hooker put on a show in his first season in Knoxville under first year head coach Josh Heupel. He completed 180 of 261 passes for 2,567 yards and 26 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He also rushed for 561 yards on 148 attempts with five scores.

The Greensboro, North Carolina, native enters the bowl game having thrown at least one touchdown pass in 11 straight contests, which is tied for fourth in UT annals. He is one of only six FBS players this season with at least 25 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns, joining Pitt Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman, Virginia’s Brennan Armstrong, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ritter and UTSA’s Frank Harris.

A semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, Hooker ranked third in the FBS and was top in the SEC in passer efficiency rating at 182.16. He shattered Tennessee single-season records for completion percentage (69.0) and passer efficiency. He averaged 9.8 yards per passing attempt, which ranked third nationally.

Hooker led a Vols offense that ranked in the top 25 nationally in total offense (459.0 – 16th), scoring offense (38.8 – ninth), rushing offense (212.0 – 19th), first down offense (23.8 – 19th) and third down efficiency (46.2 – 13th). Hooker and Heupel’s impact led UT to its second-highest point per game total in modern school history, behind only the 1993 squad (42.8 ppg).

The Vols and Hooker will take on Purdue on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium for the Music City Bowl. Kickoff is scgeduled for 2 p.m. CT.