Let’s take some time today to recognize the fine ability of Tennessee Titans wide receiver turned kick returner turned quarterback Darius Jennings. It seems like we’ve talked about the Titans receiving corps ad nauseam ever since the team elected to pass on the position in the NFL Draft back in the spring. They brought in a group of UDFA receivers, and all of us Titans writers obsessed over which ones would make the roster. But, Titans fans always seemed to have a soft spot in their hearts for Jennings.
For good reason, this dude is the model for how to stand up in the face of adversity. Jennings scratched and clawed to hold onto his dream of playing football in the NFL, and now it’s paying off.
Want to see what it means to persevere through tough times? This is @DariusJennings_ transaction page on Pro Football Reference. pic.twitter.com/pM43647aum
— Mickey Ryan (@MickeyRyan1045) November 12, 2018
That’s, what? 26 transactions if I counted correctly? Ridiculous. Jennings not only made the Titans roster, but he firmly planted himself as the team’s #5 going into the season. It was Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor, Tajae Sharpe, Jennings, and then everyone else. Hell, some people were even saying Jennings passed Sharpe on the Titans depth chart.
With Matthews walking out on the team and Taylor being hurt, Jennings has had the opportunity to see a larger role on this Titans team in the last two weeks. The dude is outright delivering.
Jennings only has five receptions for 55 yards on the season. But, it’s not necessarily the stats that highlight Jennings’ value as much as it is how he’s showing up in clutch moments and finding a variety of ways to help the Titans.
Look no further than the game against the Dallas Cowboys:
Nashville traffic prepared @DariusJennings_ for this moment.
Beautiful from Marcus Mariota #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/jIkyKc7gYN
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 6, 2018
Beautiful throw from Marcus Mariota, but how about the concentration to make that catch securely with three Cowboys draped all over him?
Then, you saw him provide a spark on special teams against the New England Patriots:
Darius Jennings (@DariusJennings_) was the spark we needed! #SaluteToService | #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/bXDUvaiD7k
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 11, 2018
That set the tone early, but it wasn’t the last time Jennings would make his mark on that game. He was out there throwing passes on trick plays later:
The Marcus Mariota 21-yard catch.pic.twitter.com/dMPiSiEDyS
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 11, 2018
He can execute on whatever this coaching staff asks of him, and it all started by bouncing around off and on practice squads. This kid could see his role expanded even further if he keeps this up.
But, one thing is certain. We could all stand to learn a lesson in resiliency from Jennings. SALUTE!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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