Tennessee first-round draft pick Jeffery Simmons was expected to begin practicing with the Titans for the first time this week, coach Mike Vrabel said Monday.
Simmons, a defensive tackle, was the 19th overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. He has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL in February.
There even appeared to be a chance Simmons could play as soon as Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I am excited to get out there and play football again,” Simmons told reporters Monday. “I am ready. I feel ready, my body is feeling good, my knee is feeling good – that’s the main thing. So right now I just want to get out there, see how comfortable I am with it and go from there.”
Simmons, who enjoyed a stellar career at Mississippi State, began the season on the Tennessee’s non-football Injury list. NFL rules allow players to begin practicing with the team after Week 6. He’ll be placed on the 53-man roster when ready to play.
“We anticipate him practicing and we’ll make a smart decision as always in the best interest of the player when it deals with injuries and his comfort level and when he might return,” Vrabel said.
The Titans fell to 2-4 with Sunday’s 16-0 loss at Denver.
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