Titans SLB Akeem Ayers is recovering from surgery to both knees. Only one procedure had previously been disclosed. Ayers had operations to "repair the patella tendon" in both knees. He underwent surgery on his right knee in January before having the left operated on six weeks later. "Day to day" for OTAs, Ayers is expected to be ready for camp.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers (knee) remains without a timetable for a return. Speaking Tuesday, coach Ken Whisenhunt hinted Ayers won't be ready to resume practicing before June. "Akeem is . working hard. He's been in here the last few weeks working, which he needed to do. He's making some progress." We'd still expect Ayers to gain full clearance before camp, but it shouldn't be considered a given until the Titans clear up his status. They haven't disclosed the exact nature of his January operation.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers (knee) is not expected to participate in OTAs next week. Ayers is working his way back from offseason knee surgery and hasn't been cleared for the Titans' voluntary minicamp. His exact timetable is unknown, but there hasn't been any indication he won't be ready for training camp.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers underwent offseason knee surgery. The full details of the injury aren't yet available, but Ayers apparently played through a knee issue the entire season without missing any time. Depending on his recovery timetable, he could be in a race to get cleared for the Titans' offseason program.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday. It's the first time he's practiced since missing the final two preseason games with an ankle injury. Ayers is on track to be ready for Week 1 against the Steelers.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers (ankle) is expected to be ready for the season opener. Ayers missed the Titans' final two preseason games with an ankle injury, but it was never a major concern. He's expected to take on more of a pass rushing role after finishing with six sacks in 2012. Zach Brown (shoulder) is also on track to be ready for Week 1.

SLB Akeem Ayers (ankle) will sit out the Titans' final two preseason games. Ayers supposedly emerged from Saturday's preseason game with just a "sore ankle" after being carted off, but this suggests he suffered a pretty nice sprain, perhaps even of the "high-ankle" variety. For now, however, he appears on track for Week 1.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers emerged from Saturday night's preseason game with only a sore ankle. Ayers was carted off, but only as a precaution. Optimistic Titans coaches believe Ayers can be their version of Von Miller in a new hybrid-style, attacking defense under Jerry Gray and Gregg Williams. Ayers is on the LB3 IDP radar.

Titans SLB Akeem Ayers was carted off the field in Saturday's preseason game with an ankle injury.

Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray watched all of the Broncos' 2012 tapes for clues on how to utilize SLB Akeem Ayers. "They have some special pass-rush guys ... but they played linebacker, they were linebacker-type guys," Gray noted. "We've got some similarities." Sort of a poor man's Von Miller, Ayers posted five of his six sacks in the final nine games last year, and Gray is predicting a true breakout campaign in 2013.