NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park to continue preparations for Sunday's game at the Indianapolis Colts.
Here's a look at today's developments:
-The Titans moved receiver Colton Dowell to the team's 'Designated for Return' list earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Dowell practiced with the team for the first time this season.
"It's freaking awesome," Dowell said after practice. "It's been a long journey, and the thing I gained from it is just to be grateful. God has given me this crazy opportunity to play football, and He sat me down for a year and now I am more grateful than ever. It felt great to be back out there with the team and enjoying the game again. It's just a blessing to be back."
The designation opened up a three-week window for Dowell to practice with the team, and he will not count against the team's 53-man roster until being activated from the team's Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Coach Brian Callahan said recently the team wants to see Dowell practice, and to reward him for his work in rehab. Callahan did not commit to Dowell potentially playing in a game this season.
"It's been a grueling journey," said Dowell, who played in 10 games in 2023 before being injured. "And it's been an informative journey. I've learned so much about myself, and the game. And just being grateful for every opportunity I get. I feel good, I feel great."
Dowell, a seventh-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Lebanon, suffered a torn ACL in the team's game at Houston on December 31, 2023. He began this season on the team's Reserve/PUP list, and he's been rehabbing and recovering ever since.
Dowell was listed as a limited participant on today's Injury Report.
"For this week, I've been told non-competitive stuff, just getting my legs back under me," Dowell said. "But I have a healthy knee. So, I'm ready to go. I go out there every day and do my best and it's up to the coaches and the training staff if I am able to play or not (this season). I would love to play, but at the same time I am happy to be practicing again, running around."
-The biggest news story of the day centered on the quarterback position.
Callahan on Wednesday said veteran Mason Rudolph will be the starter for the team's game vs the Colts this Sunday in Indianapolis. The move sends Will Levis to the bench, and it comes just three days after Levis turned the ball over four times against the Bengals.
"Those are decisions that aren't easy to come by," Callahan said. "At the end of the day, felt like it was the best thing for our team these last few weeks to see what Mason can bring offensively.
"I think I should be very clear about this: This does not mean this is the end of Will's ability to be a good quarterback. Situationally, in the season, I felt like we needed a spark at the quarterback position."
I wrote a separate story on this, after talking to Callahan, Rudolph and Levis.
CLICK HERE to read it.
And below are video clips of the three:
Now, for all the injury updates from Wednesday:
-Receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) did not practice.
-Kicker Nick Folk (abdomen) did not practice.
-Linebacker Luke Gifford (concussion) did not practice.
-Linebacker Kenneth Murray (hamstring) did not practice.
-Running back Tony Pollard (ankle) did not practice.
-Linebacker Otis Reese (ankle) did not practice.
-Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (NIR-Rest) did not practice.
-Nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat (shoulder) did not practice.
-Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (ankle) did not practice.
-Safety Daryl Worley (calf) did not practice.
-Cornerback Roger McCreary (shoulder) was a full participant in practice.
-The Titans placed tackle Jaelyn Duncan on the team's 'Designated for Return' earlier this month, when he practiced for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in the team's October 20 game against the Bills.
Duncan practiced in full again on Wednesday. Callahan said Duncan has a chance to rejoin the 53-man roster at some point.
-The Colts released their initial injury report of the week on Wednesday, and it looked like this:
TE Mo Alie Cox (hip), WR Ashton Dulin (ankle), K Matt Gay (neck), DE Lalatu Latu (illness), WR Alec Pierce (concussion), WR Michael Pittman (back) and LB E.J. Speed (knee) did not practice. CB Julius Brents (knee) was limited in practice. LB Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder), C Ryan Kelly (knee) and DE Tyquan Lewis (rib) were all full participants in today's practice.
Next practice: Thursday, 11:55-1:15 p.m.