For Titans CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, There’s Still Plenty to Play For
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was on the sidelines Sunday, unable to play against the Seattle Seahawks.
His leg hurt, and his hip hurt, too. So did his back. He was one banged-up guy.
In other words, he's an NFL player in late December, when most everyone has more than their fair share of aches and pains. His were too much to suit up, and he hated every minute of the 20-17 loss that dropped their record to 5-10.
Just watching isn't fun, because he wanted to do more, but couldn't. That's an extreme level of frustration.
"There was a lot going on with my left side, with my back and my knee, and obviously everything's connected,'' Murphy-Bunting said Wednesday in the Titans' locker room. "It was stemming from something that was banged up with those things. I think I'm just taking it day by day. It's a work in progress. But I'm just trying to get back and get better. Today will be a big test for me, and I'll see how I feel.
"I'm definitely eager to get back. I'm doing everything I can to make sure I'm back on the field and play with the guys that are available to play here. I tell them all the time that I just enjoy playing with these guys. Obviously, the record and everything isn't what we want it to be, but every time I'm on the field I have fun and I'm enjoying every day I'm here and able to be around these guys.''
Murphy-Bunting is 26 years old, and in his fifth year in the league. He spent the first four in Tampa Bay before signing a one-year deal with the Titans last summer. He opened the season starting at cornerback with Kristian Fulton, and Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker were the safeties.
None of the four of them played Sunday. Byard was traded to Philadelphia in October and Fulton and Hooker are out with season-ending injuries. A bunch of new faces are out there now, with Roger McCreary taking over for Fulton a few weeks asgo and undrafted free agent Tre Avery starting for Murphy-Bunting last week.
Avery had a rough day, getting flagged for two penalties on the Seahawks' game-winning drive and allowing the go-ahead touchdown pass with 57 seconds to go.
"It's obviously tough when you can't do much. Obviously, you're giving advice when you can, but this sucks. It was on my mind for sure,'' Murphy-Bunting said. "I just tell (the young guys) all the time, to just take advantage of your opportunities. You don't get them all the time, so you have to take advantage of it and what you put on film goes out to 31 other teams too. Just always put your best out there, and have that next man up mentality and next play mentality when you're a DB.''
The Titans are 5-10 on the season and have been eliminated from the playoffs for a couple of weeks now. They have two games left, AFC South division games at Houston on Dec. 31 and the home finale next weekend against Jacksonville.
Some may look at those as meaningless games, but not for Murphy-Bunting. There's still a lot to play for, and putting good tape out there still matters. Sure, there are games to win, but there are also contracts to secure for 2024 and beyond as well.
He's enjoyed being in Nashville and definitely would like to stick around
"It's really just playing football and finishing on a high mark,'' he said. "You want to be healthy and be blessed to be out there and playing with the guys I'm playing with. And the coaches. It's not the record you want, but hey show up every day with the the same energy and drive to help us be great. You can't ask for any more than that, so I'll keep on, and keep pushing myself.''
Being a veteran now makes a difference, too. He works hard at being a leader.
"I think for myself, being in more of a leadership role here, it's been cool to kind of see to the different type of adjustments you have to make when talking to different guys,'' Murphy-Bunting said. "What motivates Roger might be different from what motivates Elijah (Molden). For me, it's all about learning the people around me, the people I played with and their personalities.''
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