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Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel turns to running back room to fill hole at receiver

Ben Arthur
Nashville Tennessean

Phase Three of the offseason program is under way for the Tennessee Titans.

On Thursday, the Titans had their first open session of organized team activities, which began Monday. Tennessee's OTA period will end June 10. 

Here are four takeaways from Thursday’s session: 

Vrabel: I respect players' stances on OTAs

Most Titans veterans were absent during Thursday's OTA, as roughly 50 to 60 players on the 90-player active roster were in attendance, according to TennesseeTitans.com. Other players only participated in meetings. 

OTAs are voluntary. But there's often a hope – or even an expectation – that established players will show up for the offseason workouts. 

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. And it’s one coach Mike Vrabel, as a former player who was involved with the NFL Players Association, can respect.

“I just try to explain to these guys that they have to make the best decision for them and their own personal situation,” Vrabel said Thursday. “Going through that as a player, I was a part of (OTAs). I chose to not be a part of them at times. So I respect that, and that's the biggest thing I've tried to explain to our football team, whether it's voluntary workouts or anything else that comes up. Is that we have to respect each other's personal decision to do what's best for us. 

“We're always going to try to do what's best for the team and we're going to ask the players and we did talk to them. We spoke to them at the beginning of the offseason, where there are going to be times where we make decisions that you feel like are best for you and there's also going to be times where we're going to ask you to do what's best for the team. Certainly right now in the offseason, we're going to continue to coach via Zoom for those players that aren't here and for the ones that are here, we're going to coach them in person and work with them on the field."

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CB Fulton: I'm prepared to be a starter

Second-year cornerback Kristian Fulton is hoping to showhe can be a full-time starter. 

“We let go of some guys in the back end, so there are spots open,” Fulton said. “It's on me to compete and do what I do best. I'm trying to earn the respect (of) teammates and coaches. Show them that I'm preparing to be a starter. Whichever role that may be, whether it's a corner, nickel or special teams, I just want to show them that I've been working for that, trying to get healthy and show them I know what I'm doing out there." 

A second-round pick, Fulton didn’t have a traditional rookie season. There was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – no in-person work until training camp – and also health issues. Fulton missed 10 games, including seven on Injured Reserve. 

Now healthy, Fulton sees opportunity to establish himself in a remade secondary after starters Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson were released this offseason.  

“Imma be prepared to play inside and outside,” Fulton said. “Whatever it may be. I know things change in this league. People get hurt. Whatever the situation may be. ... If they want me to be an outside starter, I'll do that. If they need to move inside, I'll also do that. That's been my biggest thing moving on to my Year 2: learning other people's positions. For me, just knowing what other people are doing so I can play faster and play more confident and get the job done."

Evans getting work at RB, WR

The Titans need help at wide receiver, and they could get it from their backfield. 

Second-year tailback Darrynton Evans worked with receivers Thursday in individual drills, hitting the ladder and running routes. Vrabel said the Titans value the 2020 third-round pick’s versatility, though he was noncommittal on whether he’ll line up there when the season comes around.  

But receiver could be where Evans makes an impact in 2021, with free agent Brian Hill signed to bolster the running back room behind Derrick Henry and the gaping hole at wide receiver.

Evans made limited contributions as a rookie, rushing for 54 yards on 14 carries. He missed eight games on Injured Reserve and was inactive for another three games.  

Evans played some wide receiver at Appalachian State, where he caught 39 passes for 319 yards. 

“Those are ideas we try to have and try to get him some cross-training work,” Vrabel said. “A lot of those players that can handle more than one particular role, then we'll continue to add those roles to them. And I'd say Darrynton is one of those players."

Evans said he’ll play whatever position is best for the team. 

"Wherever coach Vrabel wants me to go, that's where imma go,” Evans said.

Titans' preseason plans

The Titans are planning a joint practice with the Buccaneers ahead of their preseason matchup on Aug. 21 in Tampa Bay, Vrabel said. Bucs coach Bruce Arians mentioned the joint practice in an interview with the Pewter Report Podcast earlier this month. 

Vrabel said there are no other plans for joint practices. The Titans also  travel to Atlanta on Aug. 13 and host Chicago on Aug. 28 during the preseason.   

“That's a great opportunity for us to go down there and practice with the defending Super Bowl champions,” Vrabel said of practicing with the Bucs. “How talented they are. Great coaching staff. It will be a great experience for us to go down there and try to compete against them."

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