It's Time To End The Treylon Burks Experiment

Yesterday, during the Titans training camp at Nissan Stadium, wide receiver Treylon Burks made an impressive diving catch with one hand. The crowd cheered, but Burks was slow to get up. Grasping at his shoulder, he went off the field to get it checked out. He broke his collarbone.

via NBC Sports

This has been the story of the young player entering his fourth NFL season. Some impressive plays, but an injury to pair with each one. In practice for a week 7 matchup last season, Burks tore his ACL. In his rookie season, he was placed on injured reserve with turf toe. In back to back seasons to start his career, he had a scary head injury on deep ball. Burks has the physical attributes and potential to be a star receiver in the NFL, but he just simply can not stay healthy.

The former first round pick has hype going into each and every NFL season. He gets plenty of praise from coaches and players and arrives in impressive shape each training camp, but this is unfortunately just not enough. No matter how hyped up he is, the injuries find him.

We have seen the skill of a healthy Burks though. In his rookie season we saw him make a grab over all-pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, where he would subsequently taunt the corner saying he is too small. Another highlight came when he made his lone career touchdown reception while taking a massive hit to the head, but still managing to hold on to the football.

I think it is unfortunately time to end the experiment though. Burks needs a change of pace and scenary to live out his NFL career, and the Titans need the roster spot. They can't keep hoping for a healthy Burks that will just end in another "freak accident" as Burks calls them. When this many happen you know there is some sort of reason for his inability to be healthy. I expect Burks to be released when the 53-man roster is finalized, or the team will put him on injured reserve. As much of a physical talent Burks is, if he can not practice due to injury he will fall behind on skill and ability.

The trade where the Titans traded A.J. Brown for the pick that would turn into Treylon Burks becomes more imfamous each and every day. After all, Brown had more touchdowns in his lone game against the Titans than Burks has received in his career.

The Titans subsequently signed former Tennessee Volunteer Ramel Keyton to Treylon Burks collarbone injury.