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Titans Star Explains OTA Absence

The Tennessee Titans are welcoming back familiar faces at mandatory minicamp.
Zach Dimmitt|
Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) heads to the locker room for half time against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) heads to the locker room for half time against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

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Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans were without star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons during OTAs but he made his return for the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday in Nashville.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Simmons is one of the key faces that reman on a Titans defense that underwent some major turnover this offseason. He told reporters that it was "not always an easy decision" to miss OTAs but he's glad to be back.

“It’s great to be back on the field with the guys, getting to work with the guys,” Simmons said, per the Titans team website. “It’s not always an easy decision, making the decision not to be here with your teammates, especially with a lot of new guys. . . . But I made that decision. It was a personal decision. But today was a good day, and I was glad to be back.”

Simmons added that he still feels explosive but noticed his absence from OTAs during the first day of minicamp.

“I feel great,” Simmons said. "I feel light on my feet, and I still feel very explosive. ... Of course I haven't been here. It took me a minute to catch my wind. I was like, I'm in shape, but (expletive), those up-downs, they hurt."

This past season, Simmons played in 16 games while having a career-high 76 total tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups.

Depending on how he looks the rest of the offseason, the Titans will likely then determine if he will see a series or two of action in the preseason or watch from the sidelines with the other starters.

Tennessee begins its preseason slate on Aug. 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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