Super plans: Titans break ground on expansion and renovation of headquarters

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, left, Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, center, and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander laugh as they prepare to move dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the NFL team's practice facility and corporate offices at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Friday in Nashville. / AP photo by George Walker IV
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, left, Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, center, and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander laugh as they prepare to move dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the NFL team's practice facility and corporate offices at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Friday in Nashville. / AP photo by George Walker IV

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk has big plans for her NFL team's expanded and renovated practice facility once construction adds 60,000 square feet to the building.

"I am thrilled with what this project will mean to the Tennessee Titans, and I look forward to decorating our new lobby with a Lombardi Trophy," Adams Strunk said, referring to the prize given to the team that wins the Super Bowl.

She helped the Titans break ground Friday on the expansion of the team's 75,000-square foot practice facility along with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Marsha Blackburn. The Titans said they are paying for the multimillion dollar project.

Adams Strunk noted the team's facility was state of the art when it opened in late August 1999, and the Titans followed with a stretch through 2003 when the franchise ranked among the NFL's most successful teams. She said this expansion and renovation will ensure players, coaches and other staff have all the resources needed to win on the field.

The Titans have renovated their locker room, training room, weight room and cafeteria while also adding a television studio to the team's headquarters in recent years.

They also have added approximately 50% more employees over the past five years, so the new project will include more offices along with meeting spaces for players and staff along with updated training and recovery areas. The current building also will be renovated, and a hospitality area and parking garage are part of the project, too.

"As we all know, there's never enough parking in Nashville," Adams Strunk said.

Henry's status vs. Texans

Titans running back Derrick Henry is questionable for Sunday's division game against the Houston Texans in Nashville, a showdown of 8-5 teams that share the lead in the AFC South standings.

Henry has not practiced all week due to a sore left hamstring that limited him in last Sunday's 42-21 win at Oakland, although he ran for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. Henry's 1,423 rushing yards are second in the NFL this season, and his 13 touchdown runs are tied for first.

"I'll be ready to go," Henry said Thursday. "When Sunday comes, I'll be ready to go."

Tennessee has won four straight games and six of its past seven, while the Texans are coming off a 38-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Texans and Titans will tangle again Dec. 29 in Houston, a regular-season finale that could be for the division title.

The Titans also said Friday that starting safety Kenny Vaccaro is questionable - although he practiced full Thursday and Friday, he still has to clear the concussion protocol - and cornerback LeShaun Sims (right ankle) has the same status after sitting out the past two games, though he did not miss practice this week.

Tennessee will be without linebacker Daren Bates (shoulder), receiver Adam Humphries (ankle) and cornerback Adoree' Jackson (foot) for a second straight game.

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