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David Thornton | Linebacker

Team: Tennessee Titans
Age / DOB:  (34) / 11/1/1978
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 233
College: North Carolina
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Former Titans and Colts LB David Thornton has retired from football.
Chronic shoulder injuries did him in. Thornton, 32, was a 100-tackle player three times in his career, mostly at strong-side linebacker with Indianapolis. He finishes his career with five interceptions and five sacks in eight seasons. Fri, Jul 29, 2011 07:29:00 PM
Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter

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Date:
David Thornton - LB - Titans

According to the Nashville Tennessean, "it would not be a surprise" if veteran free agent LB David Thornton retired this offseason.

Thornton was sidelined by a hip injury until Week 11 last season, and then never played for the Titans after being activated. He was productive in 11 games in 2009, notching 60 tackles and one sack, but it's quite possible his playing days are indeed over at age 32.
Source: Nashville Tennessean
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 11:43:00 AM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans coach Jeff Fisher revealed Monday that LB David Thornton is still not fully recovered from offseason hip surgery.

Thornton was activated in Week 11 but never saw the field. Said Fisher, "We felt the best thing ... was to keep him on the active roster rather than revert him to PUP in the event that we had an injury at outside linebacker." Thornton, 32, is an impending free agent and may be forced to retire.
Source: Nashville Tennessean
Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:06:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans declared LB David Thornton, S Vincent Fuller, S Robert Johnson, OL Troy Kropog, DE Hall Davis, DT Jovan Haye, WR Lavelle Hawkins, and QB Rusty Smith inactive for Week 16 at Kansas City.

Thornton has yet to suit up since being activated from the PUP list a month ago. Though Bo Scaife is active, he's still expected to play behind Jared Cook.
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 11:45:00 AM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans activated LB David Thornton from the PUP list.

Tennessee's defense has been stout with Gerald McRath and Will Witherspoon on the outside, so Thornton is likely to play out the rest of the season in a reserve role. He'll add depth in case of injury, but this is likely his swan song with the Titans at age 32.
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 04:57:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Updating a previous item, the player rep for David Thornton (hip) believes the linebacker will be activated from the PUP list this week.

The Titans must be giving off mixed signals because an earlier report indicated that Thornton was more likely to be transferred to injured reserve, ending his season. The team will have to make its decision by Wednesday.
Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 04:19:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans LB David Thornton (hip) is not expected to be activated from the PUP list this week.

Coach Jeff Fisher was encouraged about Thornton's progress two weeks ago, so it's natural to wonder if he encountered a setback. In addition to the hip surgery, Thornton has also dealt with chronic shoulder injuries over the past couple of years. The 32-year-old impending free agent is likely done in Tennessee.
Source: TitanInsider on Twitter
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 01:09:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans coach Jeff Fisher is happy with LB David Thornton's (PUP, hip) progress.

"The encouraging thing about what David did was that he practiced both days (last week)," Fisher said. "He didn't have any setbacks." The Titans have two weeks to decide whether to put him on the active roster or injured reserve. He's likely to be backup if he does return.
Source: Nashville Tennessean
Tue, Nov 9, 2010 08:57:00 AM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans LB David Thornton (PUP, hip) is expected to begin practicing next week.

The team has three weeks to evaluate the veteran linebacker without having him count against the 53-man roster. Thornton will likely be relegated to backup duty behind Gerald McRath when he returns.
Source: Nashville Tennessean
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 03:32:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

The Titans will not activate LB David Thornton (hip) from the PUP list this week.

The Titans are fourth in points allowed and eighth in rushing defense. The linebackers have played well through six weeks, so there's no reason to rush Thornton back to a reserve role. In addition to the hip surgery, he's also been plagued by chronic shoulder problems.
Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 05:16:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans placed SLB David Thornton (hip) on the reserve/PUP list.

Thornton has sustained multiple injuries to his shoulder, but the Titans are citing a previously undisclosed hip surgery that took place in late May or early June. With Gerald McRath suspended four games, Colin Alred is expected to start alongside Stephen Tulloch and Will Witherspoon in the first month. McRath is a better player at this point, so Thornton can't count on returning to a starting job later this season.
Related: Colin Allred, Gerald McRath
Source: Tennessee Titans on Twitter
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 05:20:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Titans coach Jeff Fisher was noncommittal Tuesday when asked about SLB David Thornton's (shoulder) availability for Week 1.

Thornton was supposed to start in place of suspended SLB Gerald McRath, but we now really doubt that will happen. He hasn't practiced since camp began. WLB Will Witherspoon and MLB Stephen Tulloch are locked in as the other two starters, but strong side will be a concern if Thornton can't go.
Source: Nashville Tennessean
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 06:18:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

Doctors have still not cleared Titans SLB David Thornton (shoulder) for contact.

The 31-year-old remains on the active/PUP, recovering from "a variety of injuries." Thornton is "very confident" that he'll be ready for Week 1, but the Titans have to be concerned about his ability to contribute. Colin Allred is picking up first-team reps in his place, and Will Witherspoon can be moved over once Gerald McRath returns from suspension in Week 5.
Source: Nashville Tennessean
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 02:31:00 PM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

LB David Thornton (shoulder) may open training camp on the active/PUP list.

Thornton's shoulder caused him to miss all of the Titans' OTAs, but head coach Jeff Fisher downplayed the injury by stating, "I'm much, much more encouraged [by his recovery]", and also that he expects Thornton to get some reps in game situations before the preseason concludes.
Source: Nashville City Paper
Sat, Jul 31, 2010 09:33:00 AM
David Thornton - LB - Titans

David Thornton and Gerald McRath are listed as the Titans' starting outside linebackers on the team's pre-camp depth chart.

Will Witherspoon would have given Thornton a serious run for the strong-side job, but he'll be needed on the weak side with McRath suspended for the first four games. Thornton's job could be in jeopardy once McRath returns.
Related: Gerald McRath, Will Witherspoon
Source: titansonline.com
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 03:53:00 PM

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