NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans had just 31 players to work with at Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice session.

Rules limited teams to five tryout players, they brought in only four and one, former Vanderbilt wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb fell out after a tough start with a lot of drops.

Pool photo/ Mark Humphrey, AP

First-round draft pick Caleb Farley wasn’t a part of things as he continues to rehab from back surgery and third-rounder Elijah Molden (injury unknown) did only a little work at the end, moving very gingerly.

Some thoughts on what they ran through in 90 minutes:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Once a premier defensive lineman who could leapfrog blockers to make a crucial stop for the Titans at what’s now Nissan Stadium, Albert Haynesworth was a different man in recent years, battling kidney disease and, ultimately, waiting in line for a transplant.

“I felt horrible,” he said. “You don’t understand how many things your kidneys affect when they don’t work. I mean, my skin, my strength, holding water, my overall feeling. I had to really, really limit myself on fluids. It was awful. It became the new norm for me.”

Courtesy Albert Haynesworth

Three times a week he endured nearly five hours of dialysis.

Then a hero emerged, a physical therapist assistant from Crossett, Ark. who had twice before offered to donate his kidney but saw those opportunities for his great generosity dissipate.

On April 15^th, Dr. David Shaffer of Vanderbilt Hospital stacked Zach Penny’s healthy, left kidney on top of Haynesworth’s right kidney, giving him a bulge and much more.

“Now I feel better, I see changes in my body,” Haynesworth said. “Now I am kind of discovering another new norm.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Notes and thoughts on the Titans’ 2021 schedule.

Travel: The two big road trips are well spaced. The Seattle trip is Week 2, sandwiched between home games. The Sunday Night Football trip to the Rams comes on the heels of a trip to Indianapolis, and the long, late trip back is followed by two home games. Overall, not too bad.

#Titans face 4 opponents w/long rest:

Week 5 vs. #Jaguars, who play Thurs Week 4
Week 11 vs #Texans, Week 10 bye
Week 12 at #Patriots, who play Thurs Week 11
Week 15 at #Steelers, who play Thurs Week 14

1 opponent on short rest

Week 17 vs #Dolphins, who play Mon. Week 16

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) May 13, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Fourth-round draft pick Rashad Weaver is expected to be with the Titans for their three-day rookie minicamp that starts Friday.

Weaver is facing a simple assault charge stemming from an April 18 incident in Pittsburgh during which the alleged victim, Demetria Navjelis, said he "grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, where she ultimately hit her head."

Despite the charge, I would not have expected the team to put Weaver on the shelf while the team's 2021 draft class and undrafted acquisitions gather for the first time and while they await matters to be sorted out.

The NFLPA is discouraging rookies from attending, but the union's advice as it tries to gain ground in a push-back against voluntary offseason work failed in the handful of rookie camps held last weekend.

Courtesy Pitt athletics

The incident occurred outside Foxtail bar at about 2:30 a.m., where the two engaged in an argument just minutes earlier during which she threw a drink at Weaver. [Unlocked]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There is no great looking potential shape to a 2021 Titans schedule, because the 2021 Titans schedule we will learn Wednesday night is loaded.

The AFC East looks to be as competitive as it’s been in some time. The Jets look to be the worst of the lot, but even they will be getting better, while the Patriots look to rebound from a down year in their first post-Tom Brady and the Dolphins are on a nice course in Year 3 under Brian Flores.

Courtesy Alison McNabb, Tennessee Titans

The NFC West could be the NFL’s best division with the Rams upgrading from Jared Goff to Matthews Stafford, the Seahawks always a contender with Russell Wilson, the 49ers recovering from a terrible injury season and the Cardinals adding veterans as they try to jump into the playoffs.

At any rate, I ran through the 17 games and pieced together a version of the schedule I think would be somewhat favorable.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Greetings. It’s been a while since we chatted in this way, so I am happy to be dipping back into the mail.

Courtesy Titans/ Alison McNabb

Thanks for the questions. You can hit me any time on Twitter, at the public Facebook page or at the members-only Facebook page, where you get priority. 

With the salary cap being lower this year do you think there’s a greater chance we see more quality veterans being cut on the last cut day? And does that mean there’s a better chance we could pick up a quality tight end or wide receiver later than normal?

— David Jackson (@vandyfan05) May 7, 2021

I don’t think cut-down day serves as much of a salary cap deadline in that teams will have to have managed their finances and know what they can afford before that. Cap costs shift from the most expensive 51 players to the full roster of 53 when the team trims the roster to 53. That's usually well accounted for long before then.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The fears about the Titans’ failure to add much at receiver and tight end have another component we haven’t really delved into yet.

After losing Corey Davis, who accounted for 21 percent of the team’s receptions in 2020, and Jonnu Smith, who accounted for 13 percent, the Titans added free agent Josh Reynolds and didn’t draft a pass-catcher until fourth-rounder Dez Fitzpatrick.

Even if A.J. Brown, facing tougher coverage, does more, can Anthony Firkser build on his 12 percent and Reynolds and Fitzpatrick replace what’s lost even if guys with smaller parts contribute more?

It’s asking a lot.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As of now, the Titans have seven new players in their top 12 on defense.

That includes three new corners at the two outside positions and the nickel and Amani Hooker elevated from a sub-package dime defensive back to starting strong safety. 

Caleb Farley courtesy Tennessee Titans

That makes Kevin Byard the one holdover in the secondary. (He spoke with me about the high turnover before the draft. 

Janoris Jenkins will be in his 10^th year, Kristian Fulton in his second, Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden in their first. Kevin Johnson, another free-agent addition, will rank fifth at best if everyone is healthy and is also new.

There is a lot of work to be done for those guys to get to know each other and grow together as a group.