NASHVILLE – It's been a grind, Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry won't deny that.
But Cushenberry can see the light at the end of the tunnel following a long rehab and recovery process from an Achilles injury, and he has his sights set on being back for the season opener.
"I feel good, man," Cushenberry said. "I am close to being back, cleared and healthy and ready to go. The offseason has been good, I am locking in on my diet, getting in the best shape as I can. I am doing well."
Cushenberry suffered the season-ending Achilles injury in the team's November 3 game against the Patriots, nine games into his first year with the Titans.
He went on Injured Reserve and then began a long and grueling rehabilitation process.
"It's been long, and it's been tough," he said. "It's been a lot of long and lonely days in the training room with all the staff, but they've been great. It's been slow, trying to build my calf strength back up, and everything around it. It's a tough process, but I think it is going well."
While he's been recovering, Cushenberry said he's focused even more on his diet, and game preparation. He admitted the long absence has been a challenge mentally, but the time away allowed him to spend more time watching tape, and bettering his body, and his game. Cushenberry said his body percent percentage has gone down seven percent recently, when he's also lost five pounds.
Cushenberry has been taking part in the stretch periods during this week's minicamp, but he's still not practicing. He missed all of the team's OTAs.
"It's been a test," Cushenberry. "But I feel like it's just a test from God, and I am going through it right now."
After playing his first four NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, the highly regarded center was voted a team captain by his new teammates in Tennessee at the start of the 2024 season.
He feels like the offseason additions on the offensive line will make a difference on the field this fall, and he's looking forward to being a part of it.
Cushenberry couldn't help but smile when he saw the Broncos are the Week 1 opponent for the Titans. In some ways, he thinks it's appropriate, since he began his NFL career in a game against Tennessee in 2020.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 315-pounder was selected by Broncos in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he started 57 games at center for the club during his first four NFL campaigns.
Cushenberry said he's as optimistic about being back for the opener, but he has to continue putting in the work.
It remains to be seen whether he'll begin training camp next month on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list.
The Titans don't open the season until September 7.
"I don't want to put a timetable on it yet, but I am on track," Cushenberry said. "Things are looking up, and I just have to take it one day at a time. This summer is going to be huge for me, getting back into football shape, and ready to go. But I'll be back. I'll be back soon.
"I am very optimistic about Week One, and being out there, starting, and ready to go. My body will tell me if I'm ready, but I feel pretty good."
