The Tennessee Titans' season has not gone as planned. Eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16, it isn't a surprise that many players have had a bad year, but then there is Caleb Farley. The former first-rounder has not only experienced football problems, but has dealt with tragedy off the field as well.
Hopefully, Farley is on his way back up after we saw him hit the practice field for the first time this season on Wednesday. Farley was suited up in a #22 jersey with the intention of helping the Titans' scout team.
Farley tore his ACL in his rookie season and then suffered a back injury that required surgery in his second. This goes on top of similar injury issues he had in college. Then you add in the personal tragedy of his mother's battle with cancer and the recent death of his father in a house explosion, it is easy to see why Farley is just now making his 2023 debut.
It has to feel good for Farley to get back out on the field. Ahead of Thursday's practice, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen spoke about seeing Farley back on the field.
"(Farley) has been working his butt off to get back out here," Bowen said. "It's good to see him out here with his teammates, going through drills, doing some things. Just happy for him that he is able to get back out here working with the guys."
The next question anyone would logically have though is will Caleb Farley play in a game any time soon. Bowen deferred that question to Mike Vrabel, but did speak on how Farley looked at practice.
"I think it was his first time out," Bowen cautioned. "We'll see as he progresses here, but it's good to get him back. I was excited to see him out here working yesterday."
Farley is still on the PUP list that he has been on all season, but the Titans have opened a 21-day window where Farley can practice with the team. At any point during the 21 days the Titans can choose to add Farley to the active roster, but with the season being less than 21 days long with the Titans being out of playoff contention, the reality is the Titans don't have to bring back Farley at all.
It is much more realistic that Farley is simply trying to get his body going and create some positive momentum going into the final year of his rookie contract. For Farley, despite how unfair, this could be his last three weeks on an NFL practice field. Good on the Titans for giving him a chance to do it.
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