Dexter McCluster’s message to Titans: ‘Just let me play’

Dexter McCluster’s expectations remain as high in his second year with the Titans as they did in his first.

He was undeterred after being underused in an offense that could have used more help last season, when the Titans finished 2-14.

“I came in with high expectations for myself,” said McCluster, who spent his first four years in the NFL as a versatile running back for the Chiefs. “But when it came to the games last year, I never really got a lot of opportunity to do much. I’m looking forward to that changing this year.”

It already has. McCluster may have never found his niche last season, but he found the end zone in Friday’s preseason opener against the Falcons.

The former Ole Miss star took a pitch from rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota six yards around left end for the Titans’ first touchdown in a 31-24 loss. That matched his touchdown total for all of last season.

All McCluster is asking for is a chance to prove how valuable he can be.

“When people say, ‘How do you use this guy?’ or they claim they can’t use him, I say, ‘Just let me play,’ ” McCluster said. “That’s all I ask: ‘Let me prove to you what I can do.’ ”

Last season he had 26 catches for 197 yards, 40 rushing attempts for 131 yards and 22 punt returns for 155 yards. He had the fifth most catches on the team and the third most rushing attempts.

In his final season (2013) with the Chiefs, McCluster had 53 catches for 511 yards and two touchdowns and returned 58 punts for 686 yards and two TDs. He carried the ball only eight times and gained only one-half yard that season.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the Titans’ habit of falling behind early in so many games last season altered the manner in which he had hoped to use McCluster.

“I’d like to say that we plan on using him like we thought we were going to use him,” Whisenhunt said. “We didn’t really get to a lot of those things because when you’re down by a couple of touchdowns, they’re not going to respect some of the things that he can do well.”

McCluster hopes this season more closely resembles his last with the Chiefs. He believes there is a better chance of that happening with Mariota taking over the offense and keeping the Titans from falling behind early.

Mariota struggled at times against the Falcons, but already had convinced McCluster that he could improve the unit, which finished ranked 29th in total offense last season.

“We’re going to have a great quarterback; he came in and showed that he can handle the load,” McCluster said. “He knows what he’s doing and I think he has the ability to extend plays down the field. I’m just excited about that and what he’s going to mean for this offense.”

McCluster has 198 career catches for 1,697 yards and six touchdowns. His career rushing totals: 793 yards and a touchdown on 192 carries.

He said he’s “still the same player” he was when he was with the Chiefs.

“It’s just about the opportunity,” McCluster said. “I want to be that spark plug. When the team needs something to happen, I want to be the guy to spark it up. I can do anything the coaches ask of me: run the ball, catch it, whatever needs to be done.”

McCluster was also set to return a punt against the Falcons, but the Titans return team had 12 men on the field, which led to a penalty. The Falcons then made a first down to extend the drive.

“We’re going to incorporate him in games just like we have,” Whisenhunt said, “and hopefully he can make some plays for us this year.”

McCluster left the field with trainers during Sunday’s practice, but Whisenhunt later said the running back was experiencing some dizziness but it didn’t appear to be serious.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.