Titans’ Finnegan returns to practice
The Tennessee Titans are getting healthy at just the right time. After Derrick Morgan and Damian Williams recovered from their nagging injuries, cornerback Cortland Finnegan has returned to practice and may play in the Titans’ pre-season finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Finnegan had missed the last three weeks of practice and all three preseason games with an injured groin and hip flexor. The former Pro Bowler is instrumental in the Titans’ defence. He was the bright spot in a bad season for the Titans’ secondary last year as the team was ranked 31st against the pass.
The Titans are counting on Finnegan to shut down opposing teams’ top receivers. The Titans have opened up the competition for someone to earn the starting job at cornerback alongside Finnegan. Finnegan said he is relieved to be back to practicing with his teammates.
"It was a blessing to be back out with those guys and running around. I felt like a loser, an outsider not being able to practice with them. Now I feel a part of the team again,'' Finnegan said.
The Titans need Finnegan badly as they are coming off a season in which they were ranked 31st against the pass. If the Titans are going to improve in that department, the secondary needs to be better which means they need Finnegan healthy. Finnegan missed three games last year and the Titans were blown out in all three of those games. They lost to the Jaguars 37-17, lost to the Colts 31-9 and worstly they were crushed 59-0 by the Patriots. Finnegan returned as the Titans were 0-6 and he was a big reason for their turnaround as they went 8-2 in their final 10 games.
"I did a good part taking it and healing it. Now I'm just working out some cobwebs. I look forward to tomorrow's practice, and hopefully I get to play Thursday night,'' he said.
The Titans have alternated their starting spots at cornerback between Jason McCourty, Ryan Mouton and Alterraun Verner. Finnegan will now take up one starting spot leaving the other starting spot to one of those three.
Finnegan has started in 47 games in his four seasons of experience. He has 11 interceptions and 248 career tackles.
Tags: