NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Second-year running back Derrick Henry was not with the Tennessee Titans for the first day of their offseason program, coach Mike Mularkey said.
Mularkey said guys have the freedom to miss voluntary work and that he used to get disappointed by it but no longer does. Coaches saw Henry in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at Alabama’s pro day and know he’s working out.
Henry’s representatives from CAA did not quickly reply to questions about Henry’s whereabouts.
“I haven’t spoken with him,” Titans veteran running back DeMarco Murray said. “I don’t know, that’s something I guess those guys have to deal with, but this is obviously a pivotal part for a young guy to get better in (these) offseason workouts with probably one of the best strength coaches in the nation.
“I’m sure he’ll show up at some point. But that’s something I’m not too worried about.”
Per Mularkey, the only other player who was not part of the workouts was Bennett Okotcha, an undrafted free-agent cornerback from 2016.
Henry’s absence didn’t fit with the Titans' talk about the start of the offseason program effectively serving as the start of a season.
They spoke about the need to recreate what sparked an improvement to 9-7 last year, and all the work that needs to be done.
“I wouldn’t say necessarily disappointing,” Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey said to a question about no-shows that didn’t specifically mention Henry. “It definitely puts that little check mark in the back of my mind that lets me know who I can count on and who I can’t count on.
"Seeing your teammates show up, that’s definitely great.”
