Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse, one of the league’s more under-the-radar weapons, is on track to suit up for the regular season opener, as Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com writes. That is in keeping with the goal that Stonehouse set for himself back in June.
Stonehouse, 25, suffered a torn ACL and MCL, along with a broken bone, in his plant (non-kicking) leg during a Week 13 loss to the Colts in December. That put his availability for the start of the 2024 season in doubt, but updates from McCormick and Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com in July suggested the talented specialist had a real chance to make a Week 1 return.
Indeed, Stonehouse is expected to get a punt or two in today’s preseason finale against the Saints, which will presumably serve as the last box to check in his quest to begin the season on the active roster. As McCormick observes, Stonehouse booted a 60-yard kick in practice last week, demonstrating that his trademark power was back.
A 2022 UDFA out of Colorado State, Stonehouse broke Sammy Baugh‘s single-season punting average mark in his rookie season, moving the NFL’s standard from 51.4 yards per boot (set in 1940) to 53.1. Stonehouse matched that average in 2023, though his season ended a few games early. He also placed over half of his kicks inside the opponent’s 20 last year.
“Obviously, I’m going to continue my rehab throughout the year, but getting these game reps is really exiting,” Stonehouse said of his planned appearance in today’s game. … “I just think for me personally, it’ll help me get back in that groove and allow me to figure out if I don’t feel comfortable with something in the game, the next two weeks I can kind of tackle whatever that feeling is.”
Assuming all goes according to plan, the Titans will likely waive Ty Zentner, though they could stash him on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Zentner, who originally signed with the Eagles as a 2023 UDFA, appeared in four games for the Texans and an additional five for the Titans in the wake of the Stonehouse injury.
A July report indicated that Zentner, who posted a 46.5 yards-per-punt average with Tennessee as a rookie, showed improvement during offseason work.