NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for their second practice of training camp on Thursday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-Chig Okonkwo got my attention early in Thursday's session, but I wasn't the only one who noticed the third-year tight end. Quarterback Will Levis found Okonkwo twice across the middle in the first set of 7-on-7 reps, including one time on a bullet with cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally in his back pocket. Okonkwo caught the ball and headed up field, with one of his coaches yelling "Good job, Chig!"
-Levis was sharp for the second day in a row, working mostly in short to mid-range routes with "Nothing Vertical" typed on the practice script. Levis was 7-of-8 in 7-on-7 drills for the second day in a row, and he was 4-of-6 in team drills on Thursday, making him 11-of-14 on the day. Levis is now 22-of-30 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp. After today's session, Coach Brian Callahan acknowledged Levis has been sharp.
-I thought the running game was much more effective in Thursday's session compared to Day 1, when defenders were regularly in the backfield. Running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard got a lot of work, but Julius Chestnut also busted a big run as well. Spears bounced to the outside on a few nice runs, and Hassan Haskins got into space as well.
-Cornerback Roger McCreary has made some plays early in camp, including breaking up a pass downfield from Levis intended for receiver Tyler Boyd. I was shocked at the distance, considering the aforementioned script that read "Nothing Vertical." The play certainly didn't surprise McCreary.
-Linebacker Chance Campbell got the ball on in the flat after an Okonkwo catch, but Okonkwo got back on top of the football.
-Receiver Tyler Boyd and Levis seem to already be developing some nice timing.
-Tight end Thomas Odukoya caught a bullet thrown by quarterback Malik Willis in the middle of the field, and he raced toward the goal line.
-Quarterback Mason Rudolph was 3-of-4 in 7-on-7 work and 4-of-4 in his team reps, which made him 7-of-8 on the day. Rudolph is 13-of-14 in the 7-on-7 and team work combined during the first two days of camp.
-Receiver Mason Kinsey adjusted his body well to catch a thrown behind him thrown by Rudolph. Kinsey is out here busting it once again in camp.
-I've noticed inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. plenty during the first two days of camp, and I asked Callahan about him after practice. Callahan raved about Murray's work early.
Murray talked to reporters after practice (see below).
-Willis was 3-of-4 in 7-on-7 drills and 4-of-5 in team work on Thursday, making him 7-of-9 for the day. Willis is now 12-of-15 in 7-on-7 and team work combined in camp. It was Willis who threw the strike to Odukoya.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons got his big right hand up and knocked down a Levis pass at the line of scrimmage.
-Outside backer Arden Key jumped offsides on one play, but he also showed up with some pressures on several snaps.
-Outside backer Khalid Duke batted a Willis pass to the ground.
-Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally broke up a Levis pass intended for receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the final play of practice.
-Cornerback Robert Javier broke up a Willis pass intended for receiver Sam Schnee.
-Tight end Josh Whyle is also getting himself noticed. Whyle made a nice snag across the middle on Thursday on a ball thrown by Levis.
-Receiver Treylon Burks worked as a gunner during a special teams period. At receiver, he's caught everything thrown his way.
-The Titans added edge rusher Shane Ray before today's practice, and he was on the practice field.
-The Titans also signed offensive lineman Corey Levin before practice, and he was on the practice field.
-Defensive back Chidobe Awuzie, who left Wednesday's practice early, will be out several weeks because of a calf injury, according to Callahan.
-The Titans waived running back Dillon Johnson before practice.
-In a special teams period, Jha'Quan Jackson, Kyle Philips, Eric Garror, Mason Kinsey and Kearis Jackson all fielded punts, and Schnee joined the group on Thursday.
-Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill returned after missing on Wednesday because of an illness.
-Edge rusher Harold Landry missed practice for the second day in a row as he's dealing with an illness.
-Linebacker James Williams was not spotted at today's practice.
-Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk attended today's practice.
-Tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and receiver Colton Dowell began camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and did not practice again Thursday.
-Former Titans lineman Brad Hopkins of SIRIUSXMNFL attended today's practice.
-Pete Prisco from CBS Sports attended today's practice.
-Former Titans receiver Derrick Mason from 102.5-FM The Game attended today's practice.
-Former Titans safety Blaine Bishop from 104.5-FM The Zone attended today's practice.
Next practice: Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
