Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Bud Dupree was present for Day 1 of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday but did not participate in any drills as he continues to rehab the torn ACL he suffered in 2020.
Dupree spoke about the injury following the session, noting that while he’s on schedule in his recovery, he isn’t sure when he’ll be cleared to practice, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
“I am recovering well, and I am on schedule,” Dupree said. “As far as when they’ll let me practice and stuff, it is really up to (trainers and doctors) to decide how they want to go forward with it. But on my end, I am doing pretty good and just taking it day by day.”
Chances are Dupree won’t be cleared in time to participate in the Titans’ three-day minicamp before it ends on Thursday, but he has said in the past that he expects to be a full-go by training camp on July 27.
“Definitely I am going to be ready on camp – I am going to be full speed in camp, full steam ahead, being back in the groove and just making sure I am healthy then,” Dupree said back in March. “But I’ll be healthy way before camp and I’ll be full speed training, and I am excited about the progress that I’ve made so far. I am going to make sure I am in the best tip-top shape when I get back.”
Dupree was the Titans’ most expensive free-agent acquisition this offseason after he inked a five-year, $82.5 million deal.
The hope is that he can improve a pass-rush that finished near the bottom of the NFL in sacks last season. The Kentucky product fully understands what’s expected of him, but pointed out that improving the pass-rush will be a team effort.
“It’s a team effort, but I am a big part of that,” he said. “It is no secret they got me here for that, to help out with the pass rush, and I put it on my shoulders and I wear that hat while I am working out in the offseason, and while I am rehabbing right now to get my knee right. We all know what it is, and that is just part of the business of this game called football.
“I take it upon myself to make sure that I make an impact, as well as bringing guys up with me.”
While he waits to be cleared, Dupree has been taking part in Zoom meetings and is getting to know the team’s playbook. Head coach Mike Vrabel praised the work Dupree has been doing this offseason and is happy with how he has communicated with the team throughout his rehab.
“He’s a professional,” Vrabel said. “Bud is a professional. He communicates well. He communicates with (trainer) Todd (Toriscelli) about where he’s at with his rehab and his therapist, and then when he’s here he communicates with me. That’s been the biggest thing that we’ve asked these guys to do, is to communicate. Then now working here with the group he’s been engaged in meetings, he’s working hard and doing everything we’ve asked him to do.”
For more from Dupree’s presser on Tuesday, check out this article.
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