Tennessee Titans

Bishop Sankey carrying load for Titans in OTAs

Published Jun. 10, 2015 12:56 a.m. ET

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Bishop Sankey is making up for lost OTA time, in a big way.

Sankey, who was picked in the second round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Washington, was prevented from attending all but one of Tennessee's OTAs because Washington is on the quarter system and school was still in session.

This year, Sankey is a full participant and then some. Tennessee has been thin at running back with with Shonn Greene electing to skip OTAs and rookie David Cobb nursing a hamstring injury. On top of that, the Titans were down an addition on Monday, as Dexter McCluster was absent for family reasons. That's meant more work than expected for 22-year-old Sankey and he's happy to have it.

"I think that's helped a lot," Sankey said, according to John Glennon of the Tennessean. "With Dexter out, I ran some routes I don't normally run, and I got introduced to running it full-speed against the defense. Me and Antonio Andrews (and McCluster) have really carried the bulk (of the reps) in the OTAs. But in the long run, I think we'll be better for it."

Actually, he may be better for it right now. Sankey said his OTA workload has given him a chance to try to refine his game.

"I've been able to kind of start from scratch, kind of take it one day at a time, and go with a slower pace," Sankey said. "I definitely feel more comfortable with pass protection, initial reads with running plays and everything."

In addition to extra time on the practice field, Sankey said he's putting in extra time in the weight room. After running for 569 yards on 152 carries, the 54th overall pick last year wants to add around five pounds of muscle.

"It's mostly just about being durable throughout the year, and also getting those extra yards," Sankey said. "Instead of one (extra) yard, it will be two or three yards with the extra weight, just by sheer momentum."

(h/t The Tennessean)

Photo credit: Jim Brown/USA TODAY Sports