Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers

In the wake of a series of costly injuries—including Calvin Ridley’s season-ending ACL tear and Derrick Henry’s lingering hamstring issues—the Tennessee Titans’ training staff has overhauled their approach to injury prevention, rolling out a comprehensive set of precautions aimed at keeping key players healthy for the stretch run. Led by head athletic trainer Tom Smith, the team’s medical team has combined cutting-edge technology, data-driven analysis, and personalized care to address weak points in their previous protocols. For a franchise fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive, these precautions aren’t just about avoiding short-term setbacks—they’re about protecting the long-term health of the roster and building a sustainable culture of wellness. Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers breaks down the specific steps the training staff is taking, how they’re tailored to individual players, and the early results they’ve yielded.

Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers begins with the team’s enhanced pre-practice and pre-game assessment protocols, which now include a multi-step screening process for every player. Each morning, players undergo a 15-minute “functional movement screen” (FMS) designed to identify tightness, weakness, or imbalance that could increase injury risk. For example, running backs like Henry are evaluated for hamstring and hip flexibility, while offensive linemen focus on knee and ankle stability. The screening also includes wearable technology: players wear compression sleeves with built-in sensors that track muscle activation and fatigue levels during warm-ups. If a sensor detects unusual strain—such as increased tension in Henry’s hamstring—the training staff pulls the player aside for additional stretching or soft-tissue work before they join full-team drills. “We used to rely on players self-reporting discomfort, but now we have data to catch issues before they become injuries,” Smith explained. The team has also expanded its use of MRI and ultrasound imaging, scheduling weekly scans for high-risk players to monitor for early signs of inflammation or micro-tears that might not show up in physical exams.

Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers shifts to the training staff’s adjustments to practice intensity and volume, which are now calibrated to reduce overuse injuries. The Titans have cut back on full-contact drills by 30% compared to last season, replacing some padded practices with “walkthroughs” and “jog-throughs” that focus on strategy without putting excessive strain on players’ bodies. For position groups at high risk of overuse—like wide receivers (prone to knee and ankle injuries) and linebackers (susceptible to shoulder and neck issues)—the staff has implemented “load monitoring” systems. Each player is assigned a weekly “workload cap” based on their position, injury history, and recovery rate; if they approach that cap during practice, they’re rotated out of drills to avoid fatigue. For example, Treylon Burks, who struggled with knee issues last season, has a cap on route-running reps per week, with the staff tracking his snaps via GPS and adjusting his workload in real time. “Fatigue is one of the biggest drivers of injury,” said assistant athletic trainer Mia Carter. “By limiting overexertion, we’re giving players’ bodies time to recover and adapt.”

Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers delves into the personalized recovery plans the staff has developed for each player, which extend beyond the practice field. The team’s locker room now features a dedicated “recovery suite” with cryotherapy chambers, hyperbaric oxygen tanks, and NormaTec compression boots—tools that players use daily to reduce inflammation and speed muscle repair. Each player’s recovery plan is tailored to their needs: Henry, for instance, uses cryotherapy for 10 minutes after practices to target his hamstrings, while quarterbacks like Will Levis prioritize hyperbaric oxygen therapy to boost cognitive recovery and reduce mental fatigue. The training staff also works closely with the team’s nutritionists to design meal plans that support injury prevention—focusing on anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, and berries, and ensuring players get adequate protein and electrolytes to support muscle health. For the Tennessee Titans, these recovery tools aren’t luxuries—they’re essential to keeping players on the field. “Recovery is just as important as practice when it comes to preventing injuries,” Smith said. “If a player’s body doesn’t have time to heal, even small issues can turn into season-ending problems.”

Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers explores the staff’s focus on player education, which is aimed at empowering athletes to take ownership of their health. The training staff hosts weekly “wellness workshops” where players learn about injury prevention techniques they can use outside the facility—such as proper stretching routines, foam rolling techniques, and sleep hygiene practices. They also provide each player with a personalized “injury prevention playbook” that outlines their specific risk factors (e.g., Burks’ knee instability) and the steps they can take to mitigate them (e.g., daily hip-strengthening exercises). For younger players, the staff assigns “mentors” from the veteran roster—like Henry, who shares his experience managing hamstring health—to help them integrate the protocols into their daily routines. “A lot of injuries happen because players don’t know how to recognize warning signs or take proactive steps,” Carter said. “By educating them, we’re turning them into partners in their own care.” For the Tennessee Titans, this emphasis on education has already paid off: players are now more likely to report minor discomfort early, allowing the staff to address issues before they escalate.

Injury Precautions Implemented by the Tennessee Titans Trainers wraps up with the early results of these protocols and their long-term implications for the franchise. Since rolling out the new precautions in training camp, the Titans have seen a 25% reduction in non-contact injuries compared to last season—a significant improvement that has kept key players like Burks and Levis on the field for most of the year. The staff has also noticed a shift in team culture: players are more mindful of their bodies, and there’s less pressure to “play through pain” at the risk of further injury. Looking ahead, the Titans plan to refine the protocols using data collected this season—for example, adjusting workload caps based on how players respond to different drill intensities, or expanding the use of wearable technology to more position groups. For a franchise that has been derailed by injuries in recent years, these precautions represent a commitment to building a healthier, more resilient roster. “Injuries are part of football, but they’re not inevitable,” Smith said. “By investing in prevention, we’re giving our team the best chance to compete—and win—for years to come.” For the Tennessee Titans and their fans, that’s a promise that offers hope beyond the current season.