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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright believes he will be ready for Tennessee's season opener Sept. 11 against Minnesota even though he couldn't finish his first practice in a month.
Wright aggravated the left hamstring he originally strained Aug. 2 during a short passing route, and coach Mike Mularkey said he likely won't play the wide receiver Thursday night in the preseason finale at Miami. The Titans coach did not have an update on the severity of the injury when he spoke after practice.
The receiver talked inside the locker room and smiled as he discussed about his latest injury.
"I was feeling good all day," Wright said. "I probably overdid it because just being out there ... and just trying to do a lot being out there with the fellows. I think I'll be all right, and I think I'll be able to play in the opener."
Wright, the 20th draft pick overall in 2012, missed six games last season with broken ribs and an injured left knee. He wound up with only 36 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns starting nine games. Now the Titans' starters are Rishard Matthews, a veteran signed in free agency from Miami, and rookie Tajae Sharpe with Wright expected to work in the slot.
The wide receiver said he believes he can be effective despite missing a month of practice. Timing with Marcus Mariota is the only issue, and Wright said he'll make sure to spend extra time working one-on-one with the quarterback once he's back again. Wright also sounds pretty confident in just how much work he needs to fine-tune his rhythm with Mariota.
"One throw each route, and I think we'll be good," Wright said. "It's that simple. Marcus knows where to put it, and all I got to do is catch it."
Cornerback Perrish Cox not only returned to practice for the first time in two weeks from an ankle injury, and he said he feels really good. Mularkey agreed, saying there's a good chance Cox plays against Miami.
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