Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dillon Radunz has successfully made it all the way back from a torn ACL and is now feeling stronger than ever.
And, by most standards, Radunz’s return was quick, as the 2021 second-round pick was cleared to practice on Aug. 28, a shade over eight months after suffering the injury on Dec. 18.
Buy Titans Tickets“The strength is definitely there,” he said, per Jim Wyatt of team’s official website. “The cool thing I’ve noticed about ACL rehab, when you do it right, you are just so focused on all the minor details of your body, you focus on details that you normally wouldn’t focus on during training.
“Honestly, I feel stronger than I was even before the ACL. I know everybody says that, but I think it’s actually true.”
As expected, Radunz began the season as a backup, but he was quickly thrust into an important role in Week 2 after replacing a struggling Xavier Newman, who initially replaced starting left guard Peter Skoronski following the 2023 first-round pick being ruled out due to an appendectomy.
Radunz helped stabilize the line a bit, and while he did allow three pressures, per Pro Football Focus, none of those turned into sacks.
“It’s just another opportunity for me, and definitely have to take advantage of it,” Radunz said. “I have to roll with it and just improve on the plays that I had when I was out there, and just continue to grow through this game.”
With Skoronski set to miss at least one more game, Radunz’s number is likely to be called once again in Week 3.
It has been a rough first two seasons for Radunz, both in terms of injury and ineffectiveness. But he can erase all that if he’s able to make the most of his opportunities moving forward, no matter how they come.
