Colin McCarthy hopes he's not injury-prone

Titans middle linebacker Colin McCarthy knows what everyone is thinking: He’s injury prone.

The second-year pro had an exceptional training camp, was voted a team captain and was poised for a breakout season. But after missing nine games, he’s aware that questions about his health will persist.

“Until I stop getting hurt and can stay on the field for 16 games, that is going to be something for people to talk about,” said McCarthy, a fourth-round pick in 2011. “It is going to be an issue. It’s unfortunate. I don’t know if it’s bad luck or whatever, but hopefully it will turn.”

McCarthy went down in the season opener against the Patriots with a high-ankle sprain and missed four games. He suffered a concussion against the Jaguars on Nov. 25 and missed the final five games.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray doesn’t think McCarthy is necessarily injury-prone. He pointed out that defensive end Derrick Morgan overcame a run of injuries early in his career and put together a solid 2012 season.

“I hope it is just bad luck,” Gray said. “You look at Derrick and the stuff he went through the first two years. He had an injury to his knee and then he had a high-ankle, but (played) at a high level. Hopefully this will pass with McCarthy also. … Hopefully the injury stuff won’t show up his third year.”

McCarthy’s concussion was particularly troubling. Several times in December he seemed on the verge of returning to action, but he never made it back. He was scheduled to see more doctors after the season.

“We plan to keep in contact with him throughout the offseason to make sure he is right,” coach Mike Munchak said.

McCarthy also suffered injuries in his rookie season, but missed only three games because of a strained hamstring and sore knee. He also had some dislocated fingers.

This season in seven games he finished with 45 tackles and three tackles for loss along with a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Dolphins on Nov. 11.

Teammates tried to keep his spirits up late in the season when his concussion symptoms persisted, but he couldn’t shake the frustration.

“It wasn’t an easy (season), but it’s football,” McCarthy said. “And you have to deal with it. Hopefully I can put all this behind me.”

If he does, the Titans could have a special trio of linebackers.

Second-year pro Akeem Ayers led the Titans in tackles (101) in 2012, when he also had six sacks and eight quarterback pressures. Rookie Zach Brown had 93 tackles and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns in the season finale.

“Me and Akeem, all season we told Colin, ‘When we make a play, just know we are thinking of you out there.’ I did a little kick thing for him after plays,” Brown said. “Two of the three young boys, we are doing what we are supposed to do and unfortunately he wasn’t able to be out there with us as much as he wanted to.

“It is hard, but you have to be there for him, and we have been. It is not like his career is over.

“We are a young corps, but I feel we are headed in the right direction.”


(tennessean.com)