Treylon Burks addresses offseason asthma attack, conditioning

Tennessee Titans first-round pick Treylon Burks hit the practice field for the first time this summer after battling asthma issues. The team shared that he dealt with asthma in the organized team activities, and he was later unavailable for the mandatory minicamp.

Burks met with the media after the Wednesday training camp practice after he passed the team’s conditioning test this week. By the look of one highlight the team shared, he’s ready to play.

The former Arkansas Razorbacks star out-raced defenders to catch a deep ball from quarterback Ryan Tannehill in a dive.

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 @TreylonBurks pic.twitter.com/sPm71SbaQg

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 27, 2022

“I feel a lot different, and I feel a lot healthier,” Burks said after practice. “It just makes me feel good that I can come out here and play a role, and be a part of this team.”

During the press conference, Burks discussed losing five to six pounds in the weeks leading up to training camp. His goal now is to tax his body to the limit so he’s in as good of shape as possible come Sept. 11 when the Titans take on the New York Giants.

“Putting myself in situations where I knew my asthma would flare up,” Burks said, “and just be able to push through it. . . . Honestly, I just (need to) keep conditioning where I don’t feel it no more, making sure I am taking my inhaler before practice, after practice, just staying on top of everything.”

On top of sharing the positive update on his health, Burks acknowledged that he could have taken a better approach to getting ready for the season.

“I would say yes,” Burks said. “That’s just being accountable, and I should have taken a better attack on that. Now that I am, I can tell a big difference.”

Titans hoping Burks replaces production from AJ Brown

The Tennessee Titans drafted Burks after trading away star wide receiver AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. The setbacks have been concerning however, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed during the offseason that the team knew about Burks’ asthma issues before they nabbed him at No. 18 overall.

He signed a four-year, $14.369 million, fully guaranteed contract that includes a fifth-year option.

Burks had 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021 and was virtually a consensus pick to go on night one. He earned first-team All-SEC honors for his efforts one year after earning second-team All-SEC. The Titans are counting on him to deliver in a similar fashion at the pro level.