Todd Downing was quite innovative in his first season as Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator this past year — and he sure needed to be considering the multitude of injuries that the offense dealt with. For the upcoming 2022 season, he may once again opt to open up the playbook in a unique way.

In speaking at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was asked on whether he has given any consideration to utilizing wide receiver A.J. Brown in the same, creative way that the San Francisco 49ers have opted to use Deebo Samuel in. Vrabel did not completely rule out the possibility of having this come to fruition, although Brown is at the least not expected to see a hefty amount of snaps in the backfield next season.

“Deebo plays running back, and he plays receiver,” Vrabel said. “That's a very unique skillset, and I think that would be a conversation that I would have with A.J. and how comfortable.

“I get it. I am just as curious as what (the 49ers) do with Deebo and I watch and I see the runs that they have with him. … A lot of these are skillset driven. In conversations with A.J. to date, the focus is on making him a better receiver, and then expanding what he does for us. Not to say that he couldn't or he won't, but I don't know that he's going to have 100 carries or whatever Deebo had. I can't sit here and promise you that. I don't know that A.J. would want 100 carries from behind the center.”

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The 6'0″ Samuel was essentially the do-it-all talent for the 49ers offense this past season. From his snaps played as a slot receiver to his 59 rush attempts, he added another dimension to the offense.

On the other hand, the 6'1″ Brown has logged a mere five rush attempts in his run with the Titans so far, and he did not receive a single carry during his three-season run at Ole Miss.

It sure will be noteworthy to see whether Vrabel and Downing would even consider providing Brown with key rush attempts next season, especially in the red zone.