Tennessee Titans

Titans RB Dexter McCluster: 'I pride myself in being a spark'

Published Sep. 10, 2015 1:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

After a strong performance in the preseason, Tennessee Titans running back Dexter McCluster is hoping to carry over his success into the regular season.

The veteran back averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the Titans' four exhibition games and scored a touchdown. He also caught six passes for 41 yards.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pounder, McCluster offers a change of pace from Tennessee's other, bigger running backs.

“I’ve always been that jitterbug type of guy,’’ McCluster said, per the team's official website. “I see the hole, and I hit it as fast as possible. I pride myself in being a spark. I want to be the guy to make that spark to ignite the offense and get that scoring drive.”

After carrying the ball 40 times for 131 yards and catching 26 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown last season, McCluster is hoping for a larger role within Tennessee's offense in 2015.

"I definitely think I will be on the field more,’’ McCluster sad. “Me and coach (Ken Whisenhunt), we had talks in his office last year and sat down and it was just pretty much how the game was swinging. We had plays in there for me, but it didn’t come around because we fell behind in most of those games. I am just going to find my rhythm every time I am in there.”

A 2013 Pro Bowler with the Kansas City Chiefs, McCluster will also likely contribute on special teams as a punt returner. Overall, he said he's feeling more comfortable in his second season with the Titans.

“This year it is not me trying to think about everything I have to do. This year it is just going out there and playing and feeling it and letting it come to me instead of trying to pressure something,’’ he said. “That’s the biggest difference between last year and this year. I’m just a lot more comfortable out there and hopefully that will pay off.”

(h/t Tennessee Titans)