Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley has had a polarizing and injury-riddled start to his NFL career, and that has continued in 2022 now that Farley looks likely to miss the rest of the season.
Many within the Titans’ fanbase sympathize with the former first-rounder because of his unfortunate injury history that continues to pile up.
Others aren’t as sympathetic toward the situation because the red flags have been there since his days as a Virginia Tech Hokie.
Obviously, injuries are impossible to predict, but Farley had suffered pretty significant damage to his body before he ever stepped foot in the NFL, and that’s especially true when it comes to his back.
Prior to his nagging back issue that ended his phenomenal 2019 collegiate campaign, Farley looked like a generational talent who possessed a rare blend of size and speed at the cornerback position.
Another back issue popped up during the pre-draft process despite him sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID concerns. This undoubtedly scared off several teams from taking him early on, but the Titans weren’t one of them.
The former Hokie has also had two separate ACL surgeries within five a year span (2017, 2021).
Unfortunately, it’s the back issue that has now resurfaced once again in the form of a herniated disc. This latest ailment has landed the North Carolina native on the injured reserve list for at least the next four games.
Despite the never-ending roadblocks, Farley himself seems to be in good spirits.
The Virginia Tech product took to Instagram and posted several photos, and the caption for the post read “it’s only over when you quit, I gotta shine again.”
Also included in the photos is a screenshot of a conversation he had with someone he calls “Mommy Faye”.
The discussion appears to be with a concerned family member or friend who is essentially nudging the 24-year-old to consider thinking about retirement and life after football.
However, Farley makes it clear in the conversation that he has no intention of giving up his football dream anytime soon.
There’s no telling how the once highly-touted cornerback’s football story will end, but at least he appears to be in the right head space to get on the right track.
From a Titans fan perspective, though, it’s more than fair to have your doubts as to whether or not the talented cornerback will ever reach his full potential.
Before his latest IR stint, Farley only played 99 snaps on defense and 74 on special teams through nine games but struggled mightily on defense.
Only time will determine how all this plays out, but patience and opportunity will only dwindle with each injury-hampered season that passes by for the former first-rounder.
