Titans rookie – Robert Saleh says Titans will scale back practice intensity for drafted rookies at minicamp after past injury lessons.
A pivotal lesson from the past is shaping how Robert Saleh approaches the Titans’ rookie minicamp this year.
Having been part of the Jaguars’ coaching staff when Dante Fowler tore his ACL during his first minicamp practice. Saleh now says he takes extra caution with drafted players as they step into the preseason grind.. In his view. the lead-up to the draft is already physically and mentally demanding. with extensive travel and multiple team meetings that can leave rookies’ bodies less prepared for full-speed work.
Saleh said the Titans plan to keep drafted rookies from taking on the most strenuous practice reps right away.. While undrafted players who did fewer pre-draft visits will spend more time on the practice field. the drafted group will instead work primarily with strength and conditioning coaches during minicamp sessions.. The emphasis. according to Misryoum. is on baseline checking and assessing how players’ bodies have responded after a long stretch of preparation.
This matters because managing early workload can set the tone for a rookie’s development. The goal is to reduce the odds of overexertion at a stage where players are still adapting to football-specific demands.
Saleh explained that the process over draft season involves a lot of “stress” across the calendar. and that a first taste of training camp football should be approached with that reality in mind.. By running baseline evaluations and meeting throughout the day. the coaching staff can better determine what each player is ready for. rather than pushing everyone into the same routine immediately.
At the heart of Saleh’s message is personal memory and a prevention-first philosophy. He described Fowler’s ACL injury as something he still thinks about, referring to it as a “scar,” and said the Titans’ approach is designed to acclimate rookies properly when they eventually join the veterans.
For the Titans, this plan isn’t about lowering expectations for impact rookies. It’s about making sure their first steps are measured, informed, and sustainable, which can ultimately influence how quickly they build strength, confidence, and availability once camp fully gets underway.