Battling through training camp injuries, the veteran defensive lineman brings a relentless work ethic and selfless mentality to a Nashville defense hungry for new leadership.
The Tennessee Titans are no different than every other team in the NFL.
They have had injuries pop up throughout training camp, just like everyone else. The Titans have had injuries to the likes of Dan Moore Jr., Mitchell Trubisky, John Franklin-Myers, Jacob Martin, Tony Pollard, and others.
Most of them have been minor, but there were the season-ending injuries to both Jaren Kanak and Jaylen Harrell.
Franklin-Myers had been dealing with back stiffness and wasn't able to play against the San Francisco 49ers. He's been fighting to get back to the team so that he can contribute.
Franklin-Myers was one of the biggest signings that the Titans made. He and head coach Robert Saleh overlapped at the New York Jets for three seasons, so he is familiar with his defense.
We got a taste of how much of a team player Franklin-Myers is during an interview after an earlier training camp practice. Franklin-Myers has lined up as an edge rusher and defensive tackle during his NFL career.
However, he said he's willing to do whatever he can to help the team win.
After Wednesday's practice, we got another glimpse into the kind of player he is. Franklin-Myers talked about what it's been like missing time due to his recent injuries.
He compared missing one day in the NFL to missing the Super Bowl. If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about him, I don't know what does.
"Shoot, I mean, you know, you miss one day in the NFL and it just kind of feels like you missed the Super Bowl, and naturally, it should feel like that," Franklin-Myer said. "I mean, we put so much into this in the offseason. We put so much into it each and every day. Meetings, walkthroughs, practice. So, any little rep that you miss, it just feels like the end of the world. I'm grateful. I'm thankful the team has been behind me, had my back, let me do my thing, and I feel a lot better. I'm excited. Just excited to be out here with these guys."
I can't speak for everyone, but this is exactly the kind of player I want on my team. I want someone who can't stand being away from the game because of an injury.
Franklin-Myers is in a position to be one of the veteran leaders of this team. His recent statement makes me feel that he is well equipped to step into a leadership role.
The Titans really haven't had that many leaders on the defensive line in recent years outside of Jeffery Simmons. It's felt like Simmons hasn't had any real help on the interior since the days of Denico Autry.
Franklin-Myers can take the pressure off of Simmons and hopefully turn this Titans' pass rush around. It won't all be on him, as the Titans have added Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, Keldric Faulk and others to help.
Franklin-Myers hates being away from football, and that's the kind of player this Titans team needs right now.
