Tennessee Titans (2-0) punter Ryan Stonehouse will make his 2024 debut in the team's preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints (1-1). It is a huge milestone for the third-year pro after experiencing a season-ending leg injury last December against the Indianapolis Colts.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24396700/1452217037.jpg)
Sunday's game at New Orleans will mark 266 days since Stonehouse was able to punt for Tennessee.
Ryan Stonehouse's Long Road Back from Injury
"I didn't want anything to get in the way of coming back," Stonehouse said Wednesday on 104.5 The Zone's The Buck Reising Show. "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."
The Titans did not want to wait until Week 1 of the regular season when the team will open on the road against the Chicago Bears to drop Stonehouse back into live action.
An ACL and posterolateral corner repair were necessary for the former undrafted free agent to get back on the field. Rehabbing the injury was a grueling process for Stonehouse, who set the NFL record as a rookie in 2022 for gross average yards per punt (53.1). He averaged 53.06 in 2023 before being knocked out for the season by Indianapolis.
Going through camp with the team was the next step in the process.
Stonehouse then dressed out for Tennessee's first two preseason games without actually punting just to get back into the routine. Coach Brian Callahan said last Sunday that they were hopeful to get Stonehouse "potentially a punt or two" against the Saints. Getting him back on the field is the last step of the return-to-play process.
"The Titans return to action at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on August 25. Watch/listen to Titans Radio's pregame coverage starting at 10am CT on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville.
