Titans GM Jon Robinson was non-committal about DeMarco Murray’s future with the team on Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Jason Wolf / USA TODAY Network - Tennessee
Derrick Henry will get his chance to carry the load next season.
The Titans on Thursday informed running back DeMarco Murray he will be released, clearing the way for Henry, the 2016 second-round draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama, to take over as the team's primary running back.
Murray had two years but no guaranteed money remaining on a contract he restructured after his trade from the Eagles in 2016. The move saves the Titans $6.5 million next season, giving the team $54.28 million under the salary cap heading into the start of free agency Wednesday. That figure is seventh-most in the NFL, according to the database at OverTheCap.com.
“I want to thank DeMarco for his contributions as a Titan, not only for what he did on the field but also in the locker room and in the community," Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a written release. "He was a pro in every facet and we wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
Henry, 24, led the Titans with 744 rushing yards, an average of 4.2 yards per touch, on 176 carries last season. He scored five rushing touchdowns.
Henry, a 2016 second-round draft pick out of Alabama, started the Titans’ regular-season finale against the Jaguars and both playoff games. He set a postseason single-game franchise record for yards from scrimmage in the team’s wild-card victory against Kansas City.
Murray, who recently turned 30, has been hampered by numerous injuries and is coming off the least successful statistical season of his career, setting career lows for rushing yards and yards per carry despite starting 15 games.
He was due a $250,000 roster bonus on March 18, four days after the start of free agency.
Murray had a career-low 659 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 184 carries last season. He added 39 catches for 266 yards and a score. Murray started the first 15 games, despite hamstring and shoulder injuries, until a right knee injury ended his season. His 3.6 yards per carry matched the career low he set in 2015 in Philadelphia.
This is a developing story.
The Titans’ franchise quarterback called out three friends, including left tackle Taylor Lewan, before munching on three hot peppers in a video posted on the team’s twitter feed as part of the ALS Pepper Challenge. Tennessee Titans
Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.
Read Again https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2018/03/08/titans-release-demarco-murray-derrick-henry-expected-take-over-lead-running-back/357471002/
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Titans to release DeMarco Murray; Derrick Henry expected to take over as lead running back"
Post a Comment