Punter Ryan Stonehouse 'clears the air' on his severe knee injury from last Tennessee Titans season
Tennessee Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse met with Buck Reising on 104.5 The Zone on Wednesday following practice to provide an update on his injury recovery process and clear the air on some specific details as a few initial reports weren't entirely accurate. First, and most importantly, it turns out that head coach Brian Callahan is […]
Tennessee Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse met with Buck Reising on 104.5 The Zone on Wednesday following practice to provide an update on his injury recovery process and clear the air on some specific details as a few initial reports weren't entirely accurate.
First, and most importantly, it turns out that head coach Brian Callahan is planning on having Stonehouse available to punt for this week's game against the Saints. This is great news as many had been speculating all off-season that Stonehouse may not be ready return for Week 1 action.
And that assumption made sense given just how awful his injury both looked on the field and turned out to be when he went in for further medical examination. However, unlike some original reports from this spring, Stonehouse made it clear that he did not tear his MCL, damage his meniscus, or break any bones in his left leg.
Stonehouse talked through the specifics of his injury in detail today with Buck Reising and shared how difficult it was to fight through recovery:
"I know there were a couple reports out there, but I had my ACL repaired. And then I also had my posterolateral corner, which is like all the left side of your [left] knee. So no MCL, and no broken bone. When you have a partial dislocation–which is pretty much what it [was]–it's definitely a lot more complex than just an ACL [tear]."
For those that (unfortunately) recall what Stonehouse' injury looked like in real time it's no wonder it was much more complex than a simple ACL tear. His leg was pushed into hyperextension after direct contact, which for many would leave a tough mental scar, but apparently not for Stonehouse. When asked about hurdles he's been overcoming in his return, here's what he had to say:
"I didn't want anything to get in the way of coming back. I always had an idea of coming back [earlier] than I was going to be expected to…[as a punter] you're not in too much control with the rush, similar to a quarterback. You're at the mercy of the team rushing or our guys blocking. And there's a lot of trust that has to come from that. That's just that mental piece, right? One of the things that huge, and the reason I decided to go out and participate in camp this year was because I wanted to get as many reps with a rush…getting that [comfort] back with the guys, you know? I've built trust now with everyone that's on our punt team–you know–that they're going to put me in a great position going forward. And that's huge for me"
Stonehouse not only went through camp with the team, but he also dressed out for the first two preseason games too because he wanted to simulate how things would feel when he was back. Even though he shared that he wasn't cleared to go back in the preseason games Stonehouse was taking every step he could so that he would be ready when that day finally came.
This was Stonehouse's first "major" injury as he called it, having had a few minor "clean up" procedures in college, but had never had to fight through any recovery near like this before. He credited both Titans fans and the amazing legacy of Titans punters who came before him as playing a huge factor in him being able to push through this off-season.
"You've got to credit those guys. Brett [Kern] and Craig [Hentrich]…I think that they created such a foundation for the expectations here. And I appreciate that…When I went to college there were a couple punters before me that had really kind of set the bar. And being a young guy, starting my freshman year, it was huge for me because I always felt like, 'Man, I need to live up to that.' And it pushed me harder. You know, 'I can't let these guys down.'…punting may not be the [most] glorious play in football, but I think that it's an important play that can really change the game if you do it correctly. And to see the fans embrace me here is so amazing because I feel like every game I'm going out there and playing for them and our team. And I know that there's an expectation. That's what pushed me through this injury so much."
Stonehouse also said that he loves new special teams coordinator Colt Anderson and all major phases of special teams are in a great spot because of him and the staff. It'll be refreshing to see the Titans' record setting punter recovered from his horrible injury and back on the field this week as the Two-Tone Blue faces off against the Saints this coming Sunday at 1pm CT.
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