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TITANS INSIDER

Bishop Sankey rounds into form as Titans near season

John Glennon
jglennon@tennessean.com

Bishop Sankey, the top running back selected in the draft this year, looks as if he's headed in the right direction as the regular season nears.

Titans running back Bishop Sankey rushes against the Vikings on Thursday at LP Field.

The rookie's play was one of the few positives for the Titans in their 19-3 loss to the Vikings on Thursday. He started and carried seven times for 43 yards – an average of 6.1 yards per carry.

"It was obvious he's a talented young man," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "He ran the ball very well last night. He made good cuts. His vision is good, he's seeing the holes well and his protection (is improving).

"So for a young guy that you're trying to get prepared for the season, you've seen growth and you've seen him moving along with that."

Sankey had some fumbling problems earlier in training camp, and he lost a fumble in the second preseason game. Most of those issues resulted from poor footwork leading up to the handoff, something that Sankey has improved. In the last two games he had 24 touches and did not fumble.

"I got that squared away in practice," he said. "I feel good about it."

Sankey had some catching up to do entering training camp, as college eligibility rules had kept him from participating in the first nine OTAs. But the 5-foot-9, 210-pounder, who posted 3,309 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns during his last two seasons at Washington, said he's a different person than when he arrived at camp.

"I think I've grown as a player and matured as a football player," Sankey said. "(Running backs coach Sylvester Croom) has been on us every day trying to hone in on details and what it takes to be a good back on this level."