NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday to continue preparations for Saturday's preseason game against the Chicago Bears.
Today, in fact, was officially the last day of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The Titans had three new players on the practice field, after they were signed earlier in the day. The newcomers: RB Javian Hawkins, LB Cassh Maluia and DB Nate Brooks.
-Center Aaron Brewer, who started camp on the team's Non-Football Injury list, passed his physical on Thursday morning and was cleared to practice for the first time in camp.
-The Titans placed three more players on the team's Reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday: QB Ryan Tannehill, TE Geoff Swaim, and LB Justin March-Lillard.
-Not practicing today for the Titans: WR Josh Reynolds, S Dane Cruikshank, RB Darrynton Evans, S Brady Breeze, CB Chris Jackson, LB Jayon Brown, OL Christian DiLauro, OL Ty Sambrailo, G Rodger Saffold, DL Kyle Peko.
-WR Julio Jones was on the field in unform for the stretch portion of practice, but he headed off after that and did not practice with the team.
-LB David Long Jr. left practice early.
-Titans GM Jon Robinson revealed before practice the team is about 97 or 98 percent vaccinated, with antibodies.
-DL Denico Autry worked with the outside linebackers during the individual drills. Autry usually works with the defensive lineman.
-Kicker Sam Ficken was 7-of-7 kicking field goals in practice, making kicks of 33, 36, 40, 42, 46, 33 and 44 in order. Ficken is now 60-of-67 in training camp.
-It was a relatively light practice, so not a bunch of highlights. But I'll run through a few.
-Quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Logan Woodside were extra busy with Tannehill's absence, and they'll handle all the snaps in the team's preseason finale.
-In an early period, Barkley connected with receiver Cameron Batson and tight end Anthony Firkser before throwing another bullet to Batson later.
-It was an especially busy start for Batson, who had three catches in the 7-on-7 period. Firkser had two catches, and receiver Fred Brown had another.
-In a team period, cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun had a nice break-up on a ball intended for tight end Miller Forristall.
-Receiver Chester Rogers had a catch from Barkley, who also connected with receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
-After Barkley connected with receiver Marcus Johnson, cornerback Kristian Fulton collided with the receiver, and coaches reminded both players to "Stay up!"
-Woodside connected with receiver Dez Fitzpatrick late in the session on a ball across the middle.
-Woodside showed off his wheels on a tuck and run.
-Receiver Mason Kinsey just keeps showing up. He made another nice catch across the middle on Thursday on a ball thrown by Woodside.
-Running back Derrick Henry took a pitch from Barkley and really opened it up, sprinting down the sideline. It was the fastest I'd seen Henry run in camp – he was moving.
-Hawkins, decked out in No.23, caught a pass from Woodside and took off. Hawkins isn't very big, but he looks shifty and fast.
-A funny moment took place late, when cornerback Elijah Molden came on a blitz. Left tackle Taylor Lewan noticed him, and said: "Way to go, mini-Badger!" a reference to the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu.
Next up: Preseason Game No.3 on Saturday vs the Chicago Bears.
