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Hot Topics from Titans Coach Mike Vrabel's Monday Presser

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NASHVILLE – Titans coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Monday at Saint Thomas Sports Park, one day after the team's 42-21 win over the Oakland Raiders.

The Titans return to action on Sunday when they face the Texans at Nissan Stadium.

Here's a look at some of the hot topics from today's presser:

Tannehill Talk

Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 21-of-27 passes for 391 yards against the Raiders, with three touchdown passes and a passer rating of 140.4.

Tannehill is now 6-1 since taking over as the team's starting quarterback, and he's posted a passer rating of 100-plus in six of those contests and 130-plus in four of those games.

Vrabel was asked if he's had conversations with general manager Jon Robinson about Tannehill being the team's quarterback beyond 2019.

"I think we are always talking about personnel and the roster, and I think what Ryan has done has been fantastic," Vrabel said. "We're going to focus on this week, and we'll focus on decisions on the roster in the offseason.

"But Ryan is going to be our quarterback this week, and (he needs to) just continue to improve and we'll try and help him prepare and perform."

Derrick Henry's Hamstring

Titans running back Derrick Henry went over the 100-yard mark on Sunday for the fourth straight game.

Henry's 103-yard, two touchdown performance against the Raiders came following a week when he was limited in practices and watched closely by the team's medical staff in Oakland.

"I would say the (maintenance plan) would be the exact same as it was last week," Vrabel said of this week's plan.

"It is late in the season, and guys play a lot of reps. There's a lot of things that guys manage to get to the game on Sunday and that is our job, and it is their job as a professional to be ready mentally with limited reps. If he can take more reps we'll give him more reps."

Khari Blasingame

Former Vanderbilt running Khari Blasingame continues to have a nice role for the Titans since being signed last month off Minnesota's practice squad.

Blasingame had two catches for 47 yards against the Raiders, which Vrabel noted early in the press conference while complimenting several players.

"He caught the ball great out of the backfield," Vrabel said.

But Vrabel also noted Blasingame's work in the running game.

"The catches were cool," Vrabel said. "But the best thing is he had some really nice blocks. He went up there and stuck it up in there and kept his feet moving on contact. He was able to clear a path for Derrick."

Superman Brown

A.J. Brown looked superhuman on Sunday with his five-catch, 153-yard performance. The rookie receiver had a pair of touchdown grabs, including a 91-yarder for the longest catch in the "Titans era."

"He just keeps working, and he just keeps studying," Vrabel said of Brown. "I am happy that A.J. is here and he continues to help us and improve."

But linebacker Jayon Brown had an incredibly athletic play himself.

With the Raiders at the goal-line, Brown timed his jump, dove over the Oakland offensive line, and tackled the Raiders back for a loss. Vrabel credited Brown for film study.

"You don't see that very often," Vrabel said of Brown, who later scored on a fumble return for a touchdown. "To make that possible, we needed some knockback at the line of scrimmage, which we got. It was a fantastic play by Jayon."

Vs. Texans – Twice in Three Weeks

The Titans and Texans square off in a battle for first place in the AFC South on Sunday. Both teams are currently 8-5 with three games left.

After a game against the Saints on December 22 (the same day the Texans face the Buccaneers), the Titans and Texans will play again in the season finale in Houston on December 29.

So what's the challenge facing the same team two times in three weeks?

"I would have no idea," Vrabel said. "But the challenge is getting ready for them the first time. The second one is not going to mean a whole lot (now). We have to get ready for the first one here."

Health of Secondary

Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro is in the team's concussion protocol after leaving Sunday's game early.

"We'll try and work him through the conditioning phase, the weightlifting phase," Vrabel said. "We'll work his blood pressure to the level and do the baseline testing and try to work his way through practice and then go see an independent doctor and that all has to happen in a progression."

Vrabel was asked about the status of cornerbacks Adroree' Jackson and LeShaun Sims, who missed Sunday's game with injuries.

"We'll fill you in on that on Wednesday," Vrabel said.

Vrabel said he didn't notice new Titans defensive back Tramaine Brock a lot on Sunday "and that's always a good thing as a corner."

"He's excited to be here and we'll keep moving forward with him," Vrabel said.

Confidence in Ryan Succop

Titans kicker Ryan Succop hit the left upright on a 42-yard field goal and he's now 1-of-5 on field goals and 21-of-22 on extra points this season.

Vrabel expressed confidence in his kicker on Monday.

"I think Ryan has really done a pretty good job," Vrabel responded when asked if he's concerned about Succop. "We wouldn't like for him to hit the post on the one, but we'll keep working Ryan and Ryan will keep working through (it). … We really want to focus on Ryan and his process, and his accuracy, as it relates to those kicks that we want him to make.

"He just needs to put a good swing on it, trust that he's made a lot of kicks in this league, and he'll continue to make kicks for us"

The Tennessee Titans take on the Oakland Raiders in Week 14 of the 2019 season at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. (Photos: Donald Page)

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