Former Iowa running back Akrum Wadley shines in preseason debut against Packers

Undrafted free agents typically need to make the most of training camp and preseason games if they want to crack an NFL roster.

Former Iowa running back Akrum Wadley took his first step toward doing just that in his preseason debut with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday in Green Bay.

Wadley led the Titans in rushing, taking nine carries for 27 yards. He added 11 more yards on three receptions, including a crucial fourth-down conversion in the red zone.

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Late in the fourth quarter, Wadley broke free for 64 yards on his only kick return of the game.

Not everything went well for the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl MVP, however. Wadley also lost a fumble on the opening play of the fourth quarter.

Wadley, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in both of his last two seasons with the Hawkeyes, chose to sign with the Titans after he went unselected in this year's NFL draft. The Tennessean reports he's in a battle with second-year player David Fluellen for the Titans' third running back slot, behind Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis.

PREVIOUSLY:Q&A with Akrum Wadley, the undersized workhorse of the 2018 NFL draft