NASHVILLE – Titans head coach Brian Callahan talked to reporters on Monday, one day after the team's 52-14 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Here's a look at the hot topics from the presser as the team turns its attention to Sunday's game vs the New England Patriots:
-Callahan said he watched tape with special teams coordinator Colt Anderson, a day after the Lions totaled 262 return yards against Titans. Lions returner Kalif Raymond racked up 190 yards on five punt returns, including a 90-yard return for a touchdown. It was part of a day when Lions kick returner Khalil Dorsey also busted a 72-yard return that led to a quick Lions touchdown. Callahan said the two are working on "things we can do to make sure we put a better execution on the field, better schematics on the field, whatever that may be, to help us be better than it was on Sunday, because we can't have that – that's not at all acceptable. We have to find some solutions."
-Callahan said punter Ryan Stonehouse could do a better job "putting the ball in the air longer to give us a chance to cover." Callahan said Stonehouse is averaging a hang time around 4.0, and "it has to be higher than that." Callahan said the team could potentially add some starters to the special teams coverage units.
-Callahan said he has confidence in Anderson and special teams assistant Anthony Levine. Callahan noted Anderson played eight NFL seasons, and he learned from his time in Cincinnati. "He has the experience and the wherewithal to understand where the special teams issues are," Callahan said. "Those guys have great special teams experience, and they understand what they are looking at, and we have to do a better job all the way around. But those guys know special teams."
-Callahan said quarterback Will Levis, who has missed the past two games with a right shoulder injury, is making progress. "We'll see where he's at," Callahan said. "I'm optimistic he's in a better place after some rest." Callahan said Levis will probably take another day or two of rest, and "we'll see what he looks like on Wednesday." Callahan said he's hopeful "he's closer to feeling like 100 percent, or as close to that as he can, so he can go out there and play."
-Callahan said he anticipates linebacker Cedric Gray being activated from Injured Reserve and onto the team's 53-man roster. Gray, the team's fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has practiced the past three weeks while recovering from a shoulder injury.
-Callahan said he does not anticipate cornerback Chidobe Awuzie returning to practice this week. Awuzie remains on Injured Reserve.
-Callahan said recently acquired linebacker Jerome Baker, inactive on Sunday, will be more involved this week as the team prepares for the Patriots.
-Leroy Watson started for the Titans at right tackle on Sunday, and John Ojukwu also played a significant number of snaps in the game. Callahan said the team is still in the "same mode" in identifying a more permanent starter, because there was "some good and some bad."
-Callahan said the team is still working through a couple of injury-related questions coming out of the game, "but nothing with any definitiveness right now. As of right now, just working through all the normal bumps and bruises of Week 8."
