Fulton Working To Produce A Different Result For Himself, Titans In 2023

Tennessee Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton hasn't arrived for the team's OTAs, but that doesn't mean he's not working.

NASHVILLE - One of the areas that must improve for the Tennessee Titans in 2023 is the play of their cornerbacks. Last season, those corners and the rest of their secondary allowed a league-high 4,671 yards passing, suitable for 274.8 yards per game.

Despite those ugly numbers, the Titans defense still managed to finish No. 11 overall in total defense. Still, that number must improve this season if this team has any chance of winning more games than most experts are predicting. 

If the cornerback play is to improve, it's up to Kristian Fulton to lead the way. After all, he's the team's best corner- at least as of last season before the arrival of Sean Murphy-Bunting- and for him to be able to play at that high level, it must start with him being healthy and on the field. 

Over the last two seasons, Fulton, the former LSU star, has missed ten games over the first three seasons with the team. Those missed games led head coach Mike Vrabel to call out Fulton and the now departed David Long Jr. about their injuries and inability to remain on the field.      

On Tuesday, Vrabel was asked about Fulton, and if he was in the building participating in the OTAs, his response was a simple yet emphatic "Nope."  

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen had a bit of a different tenor and more in-depth answer when asked about his starting corner. 

"Yeah, he looks good. He looks bigger, he looks stronger, he looks healthier," said Bowen. "It's a big year (contract year) for Kristian. He knows it, we know it, (he's) going into the final year of his contract, so I would expect him to put his best foot forward and do everything he can to be out there."

"It's tough to produce, it's tough to eventually earn a contract if you're not out there doing it, continued Bowen. "So, everything he can preventative wise, to get himself ready to go where he can last 17 games, 18 games, or whatever it might end up being for us."     

While Fulton hasn't arrived at St. Thomas Sports Park, a report from ESPN's Turron Davenport indicated that Fulton has been working out on his own, taking a different approach to his training by doing pilates and yoga to try to prevent the soft tissue injuries he has faced during his time in Nashville. 

Though his absence has drawn some criticism and negative comments, Fulton is not the first, more will he be the last player to miss voluntary OTAs. And if what he is doing helps him remain healthy and on the field this season, then it will have been worth any negativity he might receive. 

It's a contract season for Fulton; he knows it, and the Titans know it, but the biggest question is, will his body know it and allow him to stay on the field? If that happens, it would be good for both the Titans and Fulton's bank account.   

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