Robert Saleh’s first year as the Tennessee Titans head coach started rookie camp off on the right note.

NASHVILLE — Robert Saleh held his first rookie camp as head coach of the Tennessee Titans this weekend. Citing previous experience, Saleh held all eight of Tennessee’s draft picks out of their first potential practice.

58 tryout players, five returning veterans and 11 undrafted free agents hit the Titans practice field instead.

“Call it a scar”

Saleh’s logic for the holdouts is tough to argue with.

“Yeah, I’ve called it a scar,” said the coach ahead of rookie camp. “I was on the staff that saw Dante Fowler tear his ACL on the first rep of rookie minicamp. So, I’ve just taken the philosophy these guys have had a lot, they’ve had a lot of stress over the last month, their bodies aren’t ready for football. And so, we’re just trying to see where they’re at so we can properly get them acclimated once they get here with the veterans.”

For everyone else: the two days of practice were full-go.

The pre-draft process is a grueling one for prospects coming out of college football. The training, travel and interviews would be taxing for anyone. Saleh’s decision “rest” the selected rookies let the staff evaluate a variety of other players that might upgrade the Titans roster.

Second-round pick Anthony Hill, Jr. explained why he understood the staff’s decision to slow-play things.

“I would say it’s not hard [to wait] because we’ve been on the move so much lately,” said Hill. “It’s okay to step back and kind of take some time to learn the defense, take some time to learn and get a feel for the building, get a feel for the city before you just hit the ground running again.”

Saleh will get a chance to see his rookies mix in with Tennessee’s veterans on May 18th at voluntary OTAs.

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.