It is a simple enough question: Do you plan on playing this season?
But for Titans rookie Jeffery Simmons, it is more complicated. Simmons has faced that inquiry often since being drafted in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. When asked again this week, Simmons, who is recovering from an ACL tear, answered the question like a seasoned pro.
“I’m not rushing anything,” Simmons said Tuesday after Titans minicamp. “If I don’t play this year, I’m fine with it, but my goal is to get healthy on my time and on this team’s time. There’s no time limit and when I can come back. Every day I come to work, I’m putting my mindset, you know, ‘I want to get back today.’ That’s how I come to work everyday and try to get better.”
Simmons suffered the injury in February while training for the draft. Ideally that puts him on track to return toward the end of the regular season, if everything breaks right.
For now, though, he still doesn't even have a timetable for running or jogging.
.@GrindSimmons94 gives an update on his status/mindset after today’s @Titans minicamp. pic.twitter.com/EgQIP93ZGY
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 11, 2019
When he returns, Simmons could form a formidable one-two punch with Jurrell Casey, the Titans four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
In the meantime, his focus is on regaining the form that made him a collegiate star.
Simmons was a beast at Mississippi State, racking up 163 tackles, seven sacks, 32.5 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles in three seasons. He began the offseason as a potential top-10 pick.
He wants to be an impact player for the Titans, in time.
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