The Tennessee Titans received some good news regarding punter Ryan Stonehouse’s injury status as training camp opened on Tuesday. According to head coach Brian Callahan, the 25-year-old is “ready to roll,” and the next step for him is to start feeling some pressure in practices.
Stonehouse suffered a brutal knee injury in the Week 13 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Prior to the season-ending injury, the second-year punter out of Colorado State was averaging 53.1 yards per punt, the best mark in the National Football League.
In Stonehouse’s absence, Ty Zentner took over punting duties for the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old averaged 46.5 yards per punt, including a season-long 64-yarder.
General manager Ran Carthon spoke with the media on Tuesday, praising Stonehouse’s work ethic this offseason to get back on the field.
“Shouts out to (Stonehouse),” Carthon said via Paul Kuharsky. “He’s probably spent more time in this building than anybody this offseason. He’s legitimately in seven days a week. You come in on a Sunday not expecting to see someone, and you see (him) walking through because he’s getting treatment or he’s doing things. It was important for him to be back, and the work he’s put in: he’s been punting on his own, and he’s been kicking the ball really well. The next step in his rehab process is being able to feel some pressure. Obviously, you’re not hitting him or touching him in practice, but that’s the mental part that he has to take next.”