Tennessee Titans

Titans being cautious with Orakpo

Published Jun. 11, 2015 12:51 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Tennessee Titans signed linebacker Brian Orakpo to a four-year, $31-million contract during free agency with with the expectation he will be a major contributor in 2015. So far, Orakpo hasn't gotten a chance to fully show why the team brought him to Nashville. That's by design.

Orakpo, who missed much of 2014 with a torn pectoral muscle suffered while playing for the Washington Redskins, has been a limited participant in the team's OTA sessions. Thus far, Orakpo has only taken part in walk-through drills. According to John Glennon of the Tennessean, the linebacker isn't expected to fully take part in next week's minicamp either.

The Titans say they're taking a conservative approach with their prize free-agent signing.

"I think probably right know he could go," head coach Ken Whisenhunt said, via Glennon. "But we're holding him back, just because we want to make sure we don't do anything now and we've got him when we get rolling in (training) camp."

Orakpo said he's healthy enough to practice, but understands there's no need to rush things at this point in the offseason.

"If there was a game, I'd definitely be ready to go," Orakpo said. "But just with the injuries I had last year, we have to be smart. We're not winning games in June. We have to take it easy and then be ready for full go in training camp."

Despite being limited, the 28-year-old said he's had no problem picking up Tennessee's defense.

"The coaches feel very comfortable with me knowing the defense, so I shouldn't miss a beat once I get started," Orakpo said. "The only thing I'm missing out there is team (drills). But I feel comfortable making calls and adjustments as I need to."

(h/t The Tennessean)

Photo credit: John Geliebter/USA TODAY Sports