Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews catches a touchdown pass in front Chicago Bears free safety Adrian Amos during a November 2016 game in ChicagoNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee wide receiver Rishard Matthews has been in the NFL the past six seasons, and now the veteran is hoping his experience learning other offenses will help him get up to speed very quickly with the Titans’ newest scheme.
Matthews missed the Titans’ organized team activities, mandatory minicamp in June, training camp and first three preseason games with an undisclosed injury. He passed his physical Sunday and was removed from the physically unable to perform list then practiced Monday.
That left the receiver watching teammates practice, trying to learn new coordinator Matt LaFleur’s offense in meetings and walk-throughs without taking a single snap.
Now the 6-foot receiver who led Tennessee with 1,740 yards receiving over the past two seasons can take part in an offense that has him very excited.
“This is the longest I’ve been out of football,” Matthews said before practice. “It’s tough watching, but as far as the offense I’m really excited. I think the sky’s the limit for our group. We have a bunch of talented young players. I think Coach LaFleur has explained that a lot of people will be moving around, and people aren’t going to be able to get a beat on us so easy, so that’s also exciting.”