Hentrich will come back for 16th season with Titans

The Tennessee Titans won’t be shopping for a punter after all, as veteran Craig Hentrich has decided to return for a 16th NFL season.

Hentrich, who has undergone two back surgeries in his career, including one two years ago, had been leaning toward retirement at the end of the 2008 season, but after taking time to rest and recover made the decision Monday that he wanted to come back.

“I did go into this morning to Jeff [Fisher] and tell him that I wanted to be part of this team, and hopefully, we’ll get something worked out,” Hentrich said.

Hentrich is a free agent and will have to be signed to a new contract in order to return.

Fisher made the announcement of Hentrich’s return Monday afternoon at the press conference for the signings of Nate Washington and Jovan Haye.

“For all intents and purposes, Craig Hentrich will be the punter for this football team again next year,” Fisher said.

Hentrich, who turns 38 in May, has spent the past 11 seasons with the Titans organization.