Kevin

Dodd

Dodd underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot this month, but he is expected back for training camp. He should play a rotational role behind starters Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo as a rookie. Tennessee now has all but one of their draft picks under contract.

“Preventative” has somehow become an offseason buzzword for surgeries. The reality is, players never undergo surgeries they don’t need. Dodd experienced soreness in rookie camp, after which the Titans ordered up more tests. A stress fracture was discovered, and a screw has been inserted. The No. 33 overall pick of the draft, Dodd is expected to return by training camp. Going on 24, Dodd was just a one-year starter in the ACC, but extremely productive. He’s a high-motor player who should get plenty of opportunities to get after the passer as a rookie. That’s if he’s healthy, of course.

Dodd underwent “preventative” surgery on his right foot in May, but he was always expected back early in training camp. Once healthy, Dodd should play a big rotational role behind starters Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo.

It is concerning after Dodd underwent “preventative” surgery on his right foot in May. It is unclear if this injury is to the same foot, but the timing of his addition to the injury report suggests he suffered a setback Friday. Dodd has one sack in 137 snaps this season.

Dodd underwent “preventative” foot surgery in May, and could require another operation. A rookie second-rounder, Dodd played 179 highly-ineffective snaps before going down. His health will be a question mark heading into 2017. LB Justin Staples has been promoted from the practice squad to take his roster spot. Old for a rookie (24) with limited athleticism for his position, Dodd could quickly verge toward “bust” status.

Speaking Tuesday, GM Jon Robinson deemed Dodd’s injury “delicate.” The 2016 second-rounder is still dealing with pain. It’s bad news after Dodd’s rookie year was wrecked by foot issues. Dodd had a “preventative” — i.e. necessary — operation last May before struggling through foot problems basically all season. He played 179 ineffective snaps before landing on injured reserve. Dodd should be considered questionable for training camp.

“Highly likely unless he drops a weight on his foot,” Mularkey said. Since undergoing “preventative” surgery last May, Dodd has struggled to stay healthy and said he was avoiding stressing the foot earlier this month, although the coach said he was running full speed on Thursday. All of that makes Mularkey’s confidence seem optimistic, but it is better than the alternative. If he can get healthy, Dodd will play a rotational role behind Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan.

Dodd underwent a “preventative” surgery this time last year, but he still dealt with foot issues all season before landing on injured reserve in December. He underwent a second procedure in January, so the lack of progress is concerning. The second-round sophomore is questionable at best for training camp.

Adoree’ Jackson will start in Sims’ place. Dodd recently admitted he’s still not all the way back from his foot injury. He’s healthy enough to play, but not healthy enough to contribute. He could be a weekly scratch for the foreseeable future.

Dodd specifically mentioned his explosion as something which has yet to fully return after his second foot surgery in January. “That’s something I can improve on, a year out of football you kind of lose that,” he said. “So I continue to work on things. It’s not what it used to be, I can tell you that. I can’t really give you a comparison or a number or anything. But it’s just not what it used to be.” Signing veteran Erik Walden helps, but the Titans are counting on Dodd behind starters Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan.