The Tennessee Titans have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL with DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

But there’s depth behind the top trio as well. Treylon Burks has shined as a former first-round pick, but there’s a sleeper in Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who could seize the opportunity as Hopkins is sidelined with a knee strain.

“We decided we wanted to [bring him back] because of what he’s done. I have a lot of respect for his journey. He’s had to earn it the hard way all the way through. Every year he’s played, he continues to show up and be reliable. That’s a really big part of playing receiver, it’s being where you’re supposed to be and being able to make plays. He’s a fantastic person. He’s on top of all the details and never has mental errors. He’s reliable when the ball comes his way. The more plays he makes, the more opportunities he’ll get. It’s been really nice having him in our room. He provides leadership and a veteran presence. It’s been good to have him as a compliment,” coach Brian Callahan said.

Westbrook-Ikhine, 27, had 28 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns last season. He’s played a complementary role in the Titans offense since he went undrafted in 2020, but now that Tennessee is transitioning towards more of a pass-heavy scheme, he has more of an opportunity to showcase his stuff.

Of course, he’ll have to earn reps with a lot of competition ahead of him on the depth chart, but it’s clear that the Titans really like him and will try their best to find opportunities for him to contribute.

Westbrook-Ikhine will get a chance to have some action in tomorrow’s preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

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The Tennessee Titans could be without star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to begin the season after he suffered a knee injury earlier in training camp that could reportedly keep him out for “several weeks.”

Calvin Ridley is making sure that the team has little reason for concern in the veteran’s absence.

At Wednesday’s training camp practice, Ridley gave fans a glimpse at why the Titans signed him to a four-year, $92 million deal in March. On a deep throw down the left sidelines, Ridley tip-toed along the white paint before showing off his impressive hands to make a highlight-reel catch. His teammates clearly loved it, letting out a collective celebratory scream afterwards.

Take a look:

Ridley’s NFL career was headlined by question marks after he missed the entire 2022 season due to a suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy. The Atlanta Falcons traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nov. 2022 after playing in just fives games during the 2021 campaign.

The mental toll of waiting through a year-long suspension had many wondering if Ridley would rise back to the heights he reached in 2020 when he posted career-high marks in catches (90), targets (143) and receiving yards (1,374).

He quieted any of those doubts during his first season in Jacksonville last year by finishing with 76 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. Ridley burned the Titans in both AFC South matchups, totaling 13 catches for 209 yards and three scores combined across the two games.

Clearly the Titans front office took notice of this before signing Ridley to the biggest contract of his career.

Hopkins could return Week 1 but likely won’t be 100 percent during the first part of the season. As a result, Ridley will play a vital role for Will Levis and the Titans offense, starting with season-opening at the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 8.

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Hendon Hooker is back on the football field.

The former Tennessee football star quarterback made his first appearance on the field since suffering a torn ACL on November 19, 2022, during a 63-28 loss to South Carolina. Hooker, who had been firmly in the Heisman Trophy award race at the time of his injury, was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He ended up “redshirting” his rookie season.

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Hooker made his first NFL appearance against the New York Giants on Thursday at Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the first preseason action for the Lions. According to the first unofficial depth chart, the 26-year-old is listed as the third-string quarterback, with Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starter. He is competing with backup Nate Sudfield ― who earned the start ― for the backup role.

Hooker was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after completing 229-of-329 passes (69.6%) for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions while also adding 104 rushes for 430 yards and five touchdowns, as he led the Vols to a 9-2 record in 11 games.

Is Hendon Hooker playing tonight?

Hooker made his NFL debut and his first football game action since suffering an ACL tear against South Carolina on Nov. 19, 2022, vs. South Carolina.

On his first drive, Hooker rushed twice for 12 yards and completed his lone pass for a yard, a completion to running back Zonovan Knight.

On his second drive, Hooker converted a pair of third downs: a 3rd and 5th conversion on a pass to Isaiah Williams and a 3rd and 8th completion to Parker Hess, despite being hit late by New York’s Benton Whitley. He also added a 16-yard scramble where he broke a tackle and showed off the health of his knee.

Hooker got Detroit in the red zone but was held out of the end zone despite a 14-play, 88-yard drive ending on a turnover on downs on the Giants’ three-yard line on his second NFL drive.

Hendon Hooker injury

Hooker suffered a non-contact injury against the Gamecocks in the fourth quarter of the late November SEC matchup. The injury occurred on an option play where his leg appeared to get caught in the turf at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

Hendon Hooker stats

In his first NFL action, Hooker completed two drives, with one ending in a punt and another on turnover on downs in the red zone. He went 5-for-9 passing for 36 yards and added four rushes for 34 yards. His longest pass was a 13-yard completion on third down to Williams. His longest rush was a 16-yard scramble for a first down, on which he broke a tackle.