Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry not on field at first open OTA session

Ben Arthur, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was not on the field during the team’s first open OTA on Tuesday.

OTAs, also known as organized team activities, are voluntary and it’s not uncommon to see established stars not participate. But Henry’s absence falls on the backdrop of an ESPN report last week that the Titans are “at least open” to extending him. The star running back has two years left on his current contract.

It's possible a potential new deal has nothing to do with Henry's absence. He was not seen on the field last year until mandatory minicamp, for example, keeping in shape on his own.

Like stars in previous offseasons, the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, the 49ers’ Deebo Samuel and the Commanders' Terry McLaurin are reportedly not attending the start of OTAs for their respective teams amid unresolved contract situations.

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Henry played just eight games last season after fracturing his foot, the first major injury of his NFL career. He had 216 carries for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021.

Henry returned for the Titans’ divisional round playoff loss to the Bengals, posting 20 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown.

A 2016 second-round pick out of Alabama, Henry has earned two Pro Bowl nods, a first-team All-Pro selection and an AP Offensive Player of the Year award in six NFL seasons.

The other Titans not present at Tuesday's OTA session: Jeffery Simmons, Kevin Byard, Bud Dupree, Zach Cunningham, Harold Landry, Nate Davis, Geoff Swaim, Monty Rice and Denico Autry

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry not on field at first open OTA