Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright Expected To Make 2016 Debut
By John Laird
After missing the preseason and the first three weeks of the regular season, Kendall Wright will debut for the Tennessee Titans in Week 4
Tennessee Titans fans have been waiting to see Baylor product Kendall Wright on the field this season. Now, it looks like they will finally get their wish. Dealing with a hamstring injury that’s been bothering him for about a month, reports have come out and stated that it would be a surprise if the explosive pass catcher couldn’t go in the team’s pivotal division game against the Houston Texans in Week 4.
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The passing game for the Titans has been anything but consistent. Marcus Mariota has been turning the ball over at an alarming rate. But he’s also struggling to find open receivers. The offensive line is giving him the time he needs, yet the receivers are failing to get separation and Mariota isn’t putting the ball where it needs to be when the wide receivers do get space.
It hasn’t helped that the team’s most prolific pass catcher hasn’t been on the field with the team since early August. Rookie route runner Tajae Sharpe has been taking the most of the reps outside for the team, but is better suited for a complimentary role rather then being the primary target—which is why Wright’s return is huge for the Titans’ aerial attack.
Sharpe has done a solid job thus far (14 catches, 157 yards), but Mariota needs more playmakers if he is to take the next step into the upper-echelon of NFL signal callers. While the team has Delanie Walker, they need a speedy option who can get separation and make plays after the catch, something you don’t see too much out of Sharpe.
The team’s receiving corps behind those two consists of Rishard Matthews, Andre Johnson, and Harry Douglas. None of those players have emerged as the go-to target for the young franchise quarterback, making Wright’s return a lot more important than most realize.
Despite Wright not producing a 1,000 yard season since 2013 and his production suffering a steady drop ever since, I expect the former first-round selection to make a much needed impact for this team’s stagnant passing game.
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Dating back to Marcus Mariota’s NFL debut last season at Tampa Bay, you saw the well established connection between Mariota and Wright. In fact, his first touchdown pass was to Wright, who took a perfectly thrown ball and maneuvered his way to the end zone to cap off a 52-yard play. Those are the kind of plays the Titans are lacking from the current receiving core and could be the difference maker in these tight games.