NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field on Monday for their fifth practice of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The big news of the day came before practice, when first-round pick Caleb Farley was removed from the team's Non-Football Injury list. An hour later, Farley was on the practice field for the first time, going through drills in No.3 – his new number. Farley looked good in his practice field debut, when he showed no lingering issues after months of rehabilitation and recovery from back surgery. Farley is big and athletic, and there's no doubt he as all the physical tools. Farley ran well, and he looked fluid. He showed good footwork in a WR/DB releases drill, and he used his hands well. Farley did let a football go off his hands in a tip drill, but otherwise it was a pretty impressive start.
-Some late buzz toward the end of practice centered on receiver Julio Jones, who left the session early after landing awkwardly while going up to catch a pass. After the ball went off his hands for an incomplete pass, Jones went to the ground. He got up and slowly, and then walked gingerly toward his offensive teammates. Roughly 10 minutes later he left the field on his own power. Titans Coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Jones after practice, and he didn't seem concerned. Vrabel instead said it was good to get Jones involved in team drills, which he'd mostly sat out of during the first four days of camp.
-The offense has had its share of good and bad moments in camp. The unit made some plays Monday, but also had more moments of inconsistency, with some mistakes. Perhaps it's a sign the defense has made great strides since last season, but players on the offensive side clearly want to get into a smoother stretch moving forward.
-The defense created two more turnovers on Monday, and there should have been more. Cornerback Kristian Fulton intercepted quarterback Ryan Tannehill on a pass intended for receiver A.J. Brown, and he sprinted the other way. Fulton had a chance to collect two more picks, but he let the football go off his hands on both occasions.
-Receiver Chester Rogers made an outstanding catch in the corner of the end zone on a nice pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill. On a pretty spirited day, offensive players rushed to Rogers, who earlier caught a touchdown pass in between three defenders.
-Cornerback Maurice Smith intercepted quarterback DeShone Kizer during a 7-on-7 period in practice. Kizer has been intercepted three times in camp so far.
-Receiver Marcus Johnson continues to get opportunities with some of the team's top receivers either out or limited, and he continues to make the most of his chances. Johnson went up high to catch a pass from quarterback Logan Woodside, with cornerback Greg Mabin defending.
-I noticed outside linebacker Rashad Weaver on back-to-back plays on runs by Mekhi Sargent. Weaver seems to be getting more and more comfortable. I'm looking forward to seeing him when the pads come on.
-Veteran outside linebacker John Simon made a really nice play to break up a pass from Tannehill to tight end Anthony Firkser in a 7-on-7 drill in the red zone. Simon ran with Firkser, watched his eyes, and then put up his left hand to knock the ball down just before it ended up in Firkser's hands in the end zone.
-Jones caught a touchdown pass from Tannehill in a 7-on-7 period, a period before he went to the ground after a football went off his fingertips in a team period.
-A.J. Brown scored on a crossing route in a 7-on-7 period, as Tannehill delivered a strike. Later, Brown scored twice in a team red zone period on two more throws from Tannehill.
-Woodside connected with McNichols and Johnson on back-to-back plays in a 7-on-7 period in the red zone.
-Linebacker Jayon Brown had a nice break-up on a Tannehill pass intended for tight end Tommy Hudson.
-Running back Darrynton Evans used a nice spin move to break away from the pack in a team red zone period.
-Receiver Cody Hollister caught a touchdown pass from Woodside in a late team red zone period.
-New Titans kicker Sam Ficken, claimed off waivers on Sunday after being waived by the Jets, practiced for the first time. Outfitted in No.4, Ficken didn't kick field goals in a team period. Instead, he worked on a side field with the team's other specialists.
-Receiver Josh Reynolds, tight end Geoff Swaim, linebacker Derick Roberson and offensive lineman Paul Adams did not practice. Tackle Taylor Lewan went inside midway through practice, but later returned. Running back Derrick Henry, as has been the case all training camp, was limited in the session as the coaches watch his workload.
-The Titans have been on pretty good behavior during camp when it comes to skirmishes. Linebacker David Long and center Spencer Pulley engaged in a brief shoving match, but it fizzled quickly.
-Tackle Ty Sambrailo and running back Jeremy McNichols, taken off the team's Physically Unable to Perform list earlier today, both practiced for the first time today. Sambrailo headed inside early.
-Pulley also went inside early.
-Mason Kinsey, Maurice Smith, Cameron Batson, Chester Rogers and Darrynton Evans all lined up deep in the return game period.
-The Titans are scheduled to practice in pads for the first time on Tuesday.
Next practice: Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
