To this point, Jeremy McNichols has carved out a nice role for himself with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 as a third-down running back.
Derrick Henry dominated carries out of the backfield, but the team will be without him for approximately six to 10 weeks following successful surgery on his foot.
The Titans’ “next man up” mentality will be tested at arguably their most important position.
Henry had accounted for 37 percent of the team’s offensive production through the first eight weeks of the season. Now, the Titans need to move forward without him while aiming to maintain the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
McNichols is a guy that will certainly see an increased workload. According to the 25-year-old, he’s perfectly fine with that and ready for whatever is asked of him.
“Whatever it’s going to take to win — running the ball, catching the ball, blocking, whatever it’s going to be — I’m going to be here, step up, and just handle my business,” McNichols said before practice on Wednesday.
I prepare every week like I’m going to have to step in or do whatever it takes to help win,” he added. “Not just on third [down], but I’m studying all downs, all the distances, whatever we need, whatever the team may need in all situations.”
McNichols has just seven carries for 38 yards this season. Last year, he totaled 204 rushing yards on 47 attempts.
The Titans signed running back Adrian Peterson on Tuesday. Peterson spent last season with the Detroit Lions, rushing for just over 600 yards on 156 carries with seven touchdowns.
On Wednesday, the 36-year-old, who brings a wealth of experience to the team’s running back group, participated in practice for the first time with his new team, and he’s already had an impact on the young McNichols.
“Very helpful,” McNichols said of his first impression of Peterson. “He’s an older guy and just wants to help the younger guys out, help me out. He told me that whatever I need from him, he’s there if I got any questions for him, he’ll be happy to help.”
What Peterson’s workload will look like remains unknown for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, so McNichols might be expected to handle more carries through the tackles, something he hasn’t had to do much of through his first four-plus seasons in the NFL.
But McNichols was a workhorse during his time at Boise State, rushing for 1,709 yards on 314 carries, to go along with 23 touchdowns on the ground in his junior season. That same year, he also hauled in 37 receptions for 474 yards.
The Long Beach, California native indicated that he feels comfortable running through the tackles at this level when he’s called upon.
“I feel like I could do it, I’ve done it before,” he said. “The preseason reps, the reps that I get done here and last year, whatever is asked of me, I’ll be able to do.”
The Titans will face the Rams on “Sunday Night Football,” with kickoff set for 7:20 pm CT.
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