Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans

For NFL players, recovering from injury isn’t just about healing—it’s about rebuilding strength, restoring mobility, and regaining the confidence to perform at the highest level. The Tennessee Titans have developed a world-class post-injury fitness program that blends cutting-edge science, position-specific training, and personalized care to help athletes return stronger than before. This regimen isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s tailored to each player’s injury type, position, and physical needs, with a team of trainers, physical therapists, and sports medicine specialists guiding every step. Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans explores the phases of this program, from initial rehabilitation to game-ready conditioning, and how it has helped key players like Derrick Henry and Harold Landry III bounce back from significant injuries to reclaim their roles as franchise stars.

Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans begins with the “Acute Rehabilitation Phase,” the critical first step that focuses on healing the injury and preventing further damage. This phase varies by injury—for example, a torn ACL (like the one Landry suffered in 2024) starts with range-of-motion exercises and low-impact cardio (such as swimming or cycling) to maintain cardiovascular health without stressing the knee. For a foot injury (like Henry’s 2021 Lisfranc sprain), the focus shifts to immobilization techniques (e.g., custom braces) and gentle stretching to keep surrounding muscles from atrophying. The Titans’ sports medicine team uses advanced tools like cryotherapy and compression therapy to reduce inflammation, while physical therapists work one-on-one with players to address imbalances. “The acute phase is all about patience,” said Tom Kanavy, the Titans’ head athletic trainer. “We don’t rush players back—we let the injury heal properly, because a strong foundation now prevents future issues.” For Henry, this phase lasted six weeks, with daily sessions focused on foot mobility and core strength to keep his body stable while his foot recovered. By the end of the phase, he could walk without pain and perform basic strength exercises—key milestones for moving to the next stage.

The second phase of Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans is “Strength and Mobility Rebuilding,” where players gradually regain the power and flexibility lost during injury. This phase is highly position-specific: a running back like Henry needs to rebuild lower-body strength (quads, hamstrings, glutes) and explosive power, while a defensive lineman like Jeffery Simmons focuses on upper-body and core strength to maintain leverage in the trenches. Henry’s regimen included weighted squats (starting with light weights and gradually increasing), box jumps (to build explosive power), and single-leg exercises (to address any strength imbalances between his injured and healthy legs). For Landry, who plays defensive end, the focus was on rebuilding knee strength with leg presses and step-ups, plus upper-body work like bench presses and pull-ups to maintain his pass-rushing power. The Titans use technology like force plates to measure how much pressure players are putting on their injured limbs, ensuring they don’t overexert themselves. “Strength rebuilding isn’t just about lifting weights,” Kanavy explained. “It’s about building functional strength—the kind of strength that translates to game-day movements, like cutting for a running back or pushing off for a lineman.” By the end of this phase, players typically regain 80-90% of their pre-injury strength, making them ready for sport-specific training.

Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans moves into the “Sport-Specific Conditioning Phase,” where players practice the exact movements they’ll use in games to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and game action. For Henry, this meant simulated game drills: carrying a football while running through cones (to practice cutting), catching passes out of the backfield (to rebuild coordination), and participating in limited contact drills (with trainers instead of full pads) to test his foot’s durability. For Landry, it involved pass-rushing drills: working with offensive linemen to practice his signature moves (like the spin move and swim move), chasing quarterbacks in simulated pocket scenarios, and practicing tackling (with dummy targets) to ensure his knee could handle the impact. The Titans’ coaching staff works closely with the training team during this phase, adjusting drills to match each player’s progress. For example, when Henry first started contact drills, the Titans limited him to 10 carries per session, gradually increasing the number as he proved he could handle it. “Sport-specific training is where players start to feel like themselves again,” said Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. “It’s one thing to lift weights—it’s another to run a ball carrier through a hole or sack a quarterback. This phase helps players regain that game-day feel.” For the Tennessee Titans, this phase is critical to preventing re-injury, as it allows players to test their bodies in realistic scenarios before facing live opponents.

Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans also includes a “Mental Conditioning Component,” a often-overlooked part of recovery that addresses the psychological stress of being injured. Players often worry about re-injuring themselves or losing their spot on the team, which can affect their performance even after their bodies have healed. The Titans bring in sports psychologists to work with injured players, helping them manage anxiety and stay focused on their recovery goals. For example, when Henry was injured in 2021, he met weekly with a psychologist to talk through his fears about returning to the field, using visualization techniques to imagine himself running successfully again. Landry used journaling to track his progress, writing down small wins (like completing a tough drill or lifting a heavier weight) to stay motivated. The Titans also encourage injured players to stay involved with the team during recovery—attending meetings, watching film, and even helping coach younger players—to keep them connected and maintain their sense of purpose. “Mental recovery is just as important as physical recovery,” said Dr. Sarah Johnson, the Titans’ sports psychologist. “If a player isn’t confident in their body, they won’t play at their best. Our job is to help them trust that they’re ready.” For the Tennessee Titans, this mental component has been key to successful returns—players like Henry and Landry have not only come back physically strong but also mentally resilient, ready to take on the demands of an NFL season.

The final phase of Fitness Regimens Post-Injury for Tennessee Titans is “Return-to-Game Transition,” where players gradually integrate back into full team practices and games. This phase is carefully managed to avoid overwhelming the player: first, they participate in individual drills with the team, then join group drills, then practice in full pads, and finally play in preseason or regular-season games (starting with limited snaps). For example, when Henry returned from his foot injury in 2021, the Titans limited him to 15-20 snaps per game for the first three weeks, gradually increasing his workload as he proved he could handle it. Landry, returning from his ACL injury in 2025, played in the final two preseason games (with limited snaps) before being cleared for the regular season. The Titans also use a “load management” system during this phase, monitoring players’ practice and game snaps to ensure they don’t get fatigued—a major risk factor for re-injury. “The return-to-game phase is about balance,” Kanavy said. “We want players to get enough reps to be game-ready, but not so many that they risk re-injuring themselves.” For the Tennessee Titans, this careful transition has paid off: over the past five years, 90% of players who completed the full post-injury regimen have returned to their pre-injury performance level, with only 5% suffering a re-injury. This success rate is a testament to the Titans’ commitment to personalized, science-based recovery—a commitment that helps keep their roster competitive year after year. Together, these phases create a comprehensive post-injury fitness regimen that not only heals players’ bodies but also prepares them to perform at the highest level, ensuring the Tennessee Titans remain a force in the AFC South.