Tennessee Titans

Titans' Brown, Orakpo changing up training to stay healthy

Published Aug. 4, 2015 11:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tennessee Titans linebackers Zach Brown and Brian Orakpo are trying something different to avoid a recurrence of an injury both have dealt with in recent years.

Brown and Orakpo both have suffered torn pectoral muscles, and in Orakpo's case he's done it three times, most recently with the Washington Redskins last season.

Now, both linebackers are hoping a change in weight-lifting habits will keep them healthier this season.

"We believe I was putting so much strain on different parts of my body that I was hurting more than helping,” Orakpo said, via the Tennessean. “So all the chiropractors over the years and the trainers I had down in Texas, we kind of examined everything and just started from scratch. Hopefully it can (keep) me staying healthy this year.”

The 29-year-old Orakpo has also added yoga to his workout routine.

“I feel way more nimble,” Orakpo said. “I was always a rock-solid, stiff kind of guy, and I just really had to get flexible. Picking up yoga was something I did for the last year and I’ve been doing that every week. I think my flexibility is really going to help with this pec issue.”

Brown, who tore his pec after just four snaps in Week 1 last season said he's trying to avoid the bench press when in the weight room.

"I’ve been doing a lot of free weights, a lot of dumbbells and kettlebell workouts,” Brown said. “I stay away from the bar because when you tear your pec, your shoulder shuts down also. So to stabilize my shoulder, I don’t put the bar on my back.”

With the changes, he pair, who jokingly refer to themselves as the "pec brothers" hope to be known more for their shared excellence on the field rather than their shared inured injury history.

(h/t The Tennessean)