NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field on Friday for their eighth practice of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The biggest news of the day came before practice, when outside linebacker Bud Dupree was activated from the team's Physically Unable to Perform list. Decked out in No.48, with red socks, red gloves, and a red sleeve on his right arm, Dupree practiced with the team for the first time roughly an hour later. Dupree went through individual drills, and he worked in other periods as well. After practice, Dupree said it was a great first step in him working to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. The Titans were clearly happy to have him out there.
-Cornerback Caleb Farley continues to do more in practices as well. Farley acknowledged after practice he's still getting up to speed after just being cleared earlier in the week. He made a really nice break-up on a Logan Woodside pass intended for receiver Cameron Batson, but he also had some coachable moments as well.
-Quarterback Matt Barkley, signed on Thursday as the team released DeShone Kizer, also practiced with the team for the first time. Titans Coach Mike Vrabel said he expects Barkley to compete with Woodside behind starter Ryan Tannehill. Barkley looked pretty decisive on his first day, and he made some nice throws, including a strike to receiver Marcus Johnson in an early period. Barkley also connected with receiver Cam Batson a few times, and he had a nice completion to receiver Racey McMath. Barkley also had a few throws that showed some rust is there.
-Running back Derrick Henry isn't practicing in team periods, but he's still very much engaged and into it. Henry regularly holds a play script to see what's being called, and executed. He's also been a bit of a cheerleader, and he appears to be a fan of McMath. Following two catches by McMath on Friday, Henry went out of his way to be the first to congratulate him. McMath continues to earn the praise.
-The best offensive play of the day was a Tannehill pass to tight end Anthony Firkser, who somehow managed to come down with the football in the corner of the end zone despite really good coverage by safety Kevin Byard.
-The best defensive play of the day was made when cornerback Kristian Fulton batted a Tannehill pass into the air, and it was intercepted by linebacker David Long. Big credit on the play should go to Fulton, who was tough in his coverage of receiver A.J. Brown, which forced the turnover.
-An unfortunate sight today at Titans practice: Receiver Cody Hollister being carted off the field. Hollister caught a pass from Tannehill during an early team period, but his body, and lower leg, got twisted around as he went to the ground. Trainers worked on Hollister on the field before he was taken off the field.
-Kicker Tucker McCann was a perfect 6-of-6 in a field goal period, making kicks of 29, 40, 44, 33, 38 and 53 yards, but he was off on a 53-yard later at the end of a two-minute drill. He's now 29-of-36 so far in camp. Recently signed kicker Sam Ficken, formerly of the Jets, was 5-of-6, his only miss coming from 44, and he's now 17-of-19 so far in camp.
-Batson had his best day of camp in my mind. He was active early and late, closing out the session really strong with two catches from Tannehill and another from Barkley.
-Byard and defensive back Chris Jackson both had really nice breakups in a 2 on 2 combo period from the five-yard line.
-Jackson made several nice plays on the day, including some tough defense on receiver Chester Rogers on a throw downfield. On an earlier Tannehill throw to Rogers, I wondered if he got there too early for a DPI, but coaches didn't bring much attention to the play.
-Safety Amani Hooker had a nice break-up on a deep ball intended for receiver A.J. Brown.
-Cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Fulton broke up back-to-break passes thrown by Tannehill with nice coverage in a 7-on-7 drills.
-Cornerback Breon Borders broke up a pass from Woodside to rookie Dez Fitzpatrick with a nice play.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons batted down a Tannehill pass at the line of scrimmage in a team period. He appeared to be proud of it.
-Defensive lineman Teair Tart had a nice rush, and forced a quick throw by Woodside to receiver Mason Kinsey, who had two catches late in the session.
-Tight end Tommy Hudson had back-to-back catches in a two-minute drive led by Woodside.
-Receiver Julio Jones, center Ben Jones, linebacker Monty Rice, tight end Geoff Swaim, offensive lineman Adam Coon, offensive lineman Paul Adams did not practice.
-Receiver Josh Reynolds, linebacker Harold Landry and safety Dane Cruikshank all returned to practice. Tackle Ty Sambrailo, guard Nate Dave, and defensive lineman Denico Autry were all on the practice field early, but ended up being limited on the day.
-Mason Kinsey, Chester Rogers, Amani Hooker and Batson worked in a special teams period as punt returners.
Next practice: Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
