NASHVILLE, Tenn. – One of the interesting stories about Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees is his ability to play the piano.
"I heard he's amazing," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of Pees. "He gave me his CD one time, and I've listened to him, but I've never watched him play."
Of course Vrabel was asked what type of musical instruments he can play.
And he had a great answer.
"I played the saxophone in the fifth grade for two weeks," Vrabel said with a smile. "So my dad, I came home and said, "I want to be in the band. And he said, OK. So he drives around and he was at the school and said, 'Man, these things are expensive.' So he gets a used one, and I play this thing … and I can't play. I was in the band for two weeks and I was like, 'Dad, I'm done.' I think it (cost him) a couple of hundred bucks."
A funny thing happened when Vrabel became a dad. He was a player in Kansas City when his son, Tyler, was in the fifth grade. At Tyler's school, he was given the option of being in the choir or the band.
Tyler chose the band.
"I kid you not," Vrabel said, smiling bigger. "He said, "I want to play the saxophone.' I looked at (my wife) Jen and said, "Whatever you do, just rent the s.o.b. because in two weeks he's not going to want to be in the band any more."
Dennis Kelly update
Titans tackle Dennis Kelly hasn't played since Week 1 because of an illness that hospitalized him last month.
Kelly made the trip to Buffalo and worked out before the game, but he was among the team's inactives.
Vrabel said Kelly continues to work his way back, and he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Kelly said on Wednesday he's still working through some things. He said he lost 15 pounds at one point, but he put the weight back on.
"I'm feeling better, and I feel like I am getting closer," Kelly said. "But until I am able to check off all the checkpoints, I don't know if I'm able to play until that's good. I am just waiting to see what is going to happen."
Injuries
Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan (foot), safety Kenny Vaccaro (elbow) and linebacker Will Compton (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard (shoulder) was back on the practice field, but was limited. Vrabel said he'll be evaluated throughout the week. Linebacker Robert Spillane (knee) was also limited.
The Tennessee Titans take the field for practice on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
