Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith didn’t get off to the fastest start in Delanie Walker’s place last season, but he’s really come into his own since.
And he’s done it in a variety of ways.
He took a pitch from quarterback Ryan Tannehill during Sunday’s game against the Texans, and recorded a 57-yard rush to bring the Titans deep into Houston territory.
“That was an awesome job by our offensive players, and a great job by Jonnu,” Vrabel said on Monday. “Just trying to find ways to help us win and move the football. I really like what Jonnu can do, what his skillset is. He caught the ball yesterday. He was aggressive – he caught it in zone, he drop stepped, got a few extra yards and put us in third-and-short, which helped us convert. He caught a seam pass, he caught a screen pass, broke a tackle. Just continue to keep working with him and his willingness to improve.”
Smith’s other huge play came when he tracked down the Texans’ Whitney Mercilus for some 96.3 yards, denying him the chance to tack another touchdown on the board.
Look how far @Easymoney_81 ran to track down Whitney Mercilus on Sunday – 96.3 yards per @NextGenStats.
And hear why the @Titans TE says he did it.
WATCH 🎥 pic.twitter.com/PApPtZe4u7
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 16, 2019
Smith finished the day as a top receiver, reeling in a reception on each of his five targets for 60 yards for an average of 12 yards per catch in addition to the carry.
The Titans will face the New Orleans Saints next at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday in Nissan Stadium.