Tennessee Titans' Rookie Wide Receiver Returns to Practice

The Tennessee Titans could finally get their promising rookie pass catcher back in action against the Houston Texans in Week 16. Wide receiver Treylon Burks returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 13.

Treylon Burks runs through his first full practice since suffering concussion on Dec. 4: pic.twitter.com/TWaKsnE1aV
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) December 21, 2022

Burks sustained a concussion during a brutal collision on a touchdown catch in the Titans' 35-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He has appeared in eight games for the Titans this year, hauling in 25 receptions for 359 yards.

Burks availability should provide a much-needed boost for a Titans offense that is poised to be without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill against the Houston Texans in Week 16. Backup quarterback Malik Willis will need all the help he can get; the third-round pick has netted a mere 139 passing yards on 44 dropbacks in his seven appearances this year. Getting the most out of Willis will be critical, because the 7-7 Titans could still lose the AFC South if they stumble in the coming weeks; they face the 6-8 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. The Jaguars thrashed the Titans 36-22 in Week 14.

Burks entered the league as the Titans' 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the pick acquired in exchange for star wide receiver A.J. Brown following a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Burks hauled in 146 receptions for 2399 yards in three years with the Arkansas Razorbacks and has proven valuable when available for the Titans this year. Brown, however, has been spectacular for the Eagles: he has nabbed 74 receptions for 1201 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 appearances this year.