Titans WR Murdock dies from self-inflicted gunshot

I’d planned to write something about the quarterback battle or things to watch in training camp this morning, but instead want to note some very somber news. Wide receiver O.J. Murdock passed away this morning in Tampa from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Murdock joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Fort Hays State, after earlier stops at South Carolina and Pearl River Community College. A longshot to make the team thanks to the Titans’ habit of not keeping undrafted free agents, he tore his Achilles in training camp and spent 2011 on injured reserve. I didn’t think he had much of a shot to make the team this year, and he missed reporting to training camp for what Mike Munchak described as personal reasons. Apparently those personal reasons were a lot more serious than any of us realized.

The Titans have released the following statement:

We are shocked and saddened to hear of O.J. Murdock’s death this morning. In his brief time here, a number of our players, coaches and staff had grown close to O.J., and this is a difficult time for them. He spent the last year battling back from an Achilles injury as he prepared for this year’s training camp. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they try to cope with this tragedy.

Condolences from Total Titans to Murdock’s family and friends.