NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for their 12th open practice of training camp on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-While Titans o-linemen and d-linemen worked in 1-on-1s with a pass rush emphasis, the skill players worked in a 7-on-7 period. The Titans then worked in a 16-play team period, before working 16 plays in a low red zone period. After a special teams period, the team then worked in a 13-minute, "Move the Ball" unscripted period. The Titans offense then worked in a two-minute period with these guidelines: Ball at own 40-yard-line, need a TD, with 1:27 left and a time out. Practice ended with a field goal period.
-Receiver Tyler Boyd returned to practice, and it looked like he never left. Boyd caught a beauty of a pass from quarterback Will Levis on the first play of the first team period, and he also caught a strike from Levis in the red zone period. I had Boyd with four catches on the day.
-Receiver Treylon Burks left practice early with a trainer after landing hard from a jump to catch the football. After the ball escaped his grasp, Burks stayed on the ground for a bit before getting up, and he held his back/hip area while walking on his own. It was at the end of practice, so his day was done regardless, as backups finished on both sides of the ball.
-Titans quarterback Will Levis started a bit slow, missing some throws he'd been making in camp. But Levis settled in and closed practice strong. Levis connected with receiver Calvin Ridley on a strike for a touchdown to end one period, and he made another tight-window throw to Ridley not long after. Levis was picked off on a deflected ball. I had Levis 5-of-8 in the 7-on-7 and 9-of-21 in the team periods, making him 14-of-29 for the day. In the 12 training camp practices so far, by my count Levis has completed 145-of-219 passes with eight interceptions in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp.
-It was inside linebacker Jack Gibbens who intercepted Levis, on a pass intended for Ridley. The ball popped high into the air as a defender arrived at the same time, and Gibbens went up and got it for his first interception of camp.
-Ridley had a good day, with four catches of his own, and some explosive plays.
-I noticed defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons a lot on Wednesday, blowing plays up.
-Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. nearly intercepted Levis on a throw intended for Ridley. Later, Murray blew up a run by running back Tyjae Spears.
-Rookie linebacker Jaylen Harrell had back-to-back productive snaps when he beat JC Latham for a would-be sack before stopping Spears on a run play.
-Quarterback Mason Rudolph completed 3-of-4 passes in 7-on-7 and 5-of-6 in the team periods, making him 8-of-10 on the day. Rudolph connected with receiver Bryce Oliver for a touchdown at the end of an unscripted drive with the 2s. So far in camp, Rudolph has completed 114-of-141 passes with two interceptions in the 7-on-7 and team drills in camp.
-Rudolph also threw a strike to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a touchdown. NWI also had four catches on the day.
-Running back Tony Pollard took a screen and raced downfield for a big gain.
-Running back Julius Chestnut scooted into the end zone for a score in a red zone period.
-Safety Jamal Adams closed on a Rudolph pass to running back Hassan Haskins in a red zone period. I thought Haskins had reached the end zone before Adams got to him, but others around me thought otherwise.
-Quarterback Malik Willis was 6-of-10 on the day, going 2-of-4 in 7-on-7 and 4-of-6 in team periods. Willis hit Jha'Quan Jackson for a score, and he made a great read on a read-option, and got into the end zone for a touchdown. Willis has completed 80-of-126 passes in 7-on-7 and team work so far in camp, with three interceptions.
-Receiver Sam Schnee got the offensive players fired up when he went up high to make a contested catch for a touchdown.
-Oliver had a big day himself, as he caught a bomb from Willis on the final offensive play of practice.
-Cornerback Tre Avery had a nice break-up on a pass intended for Burks.
-New linebacker Mikel Jones, signed Tuesday, practiced with the team for the first time. Jones has been assigned No. 94.
-New Titans defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson also practiced with the team, in number 78.
-Governor Bill Lee watched today's practice, alongside Titans president and Chief Executive Officer Burke Nihill.
-Vince Neil, lead singer of Motley Crue, attended today's practice.
-Former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw attended today's practice.
- Kicker Brayden Narveson was 4-of-6 on the day, with makes from 40, 44, 48 and 51 and misses from 60 (wide right) and 60 (short). Narveson is now 21-of-28 in camp. Kicker Nick Folk did not kick today, and he's 26-of-28 on field goals so far in camp.
-Cornerback Caleb Farley (hamstring), receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee), Chidobe Awuzie (calf), cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (rest), linebacker JoJo Domann (back), linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder), tight end Josh Whyle (concussion), defensive lineman TK McLendon (toe), receiver Kyle Philips (hamstring), running back Jabari Small (concussion), linebacker Otis Reese IV (concussion), edge Caleb Murphy (hand), receiver Kearis Jackson (knee) and receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison did not practice.
-Receiver Mason Kinsey has a broken pinkie finger, but he was at practice with a device on his hand.
-Receiver Colton Dowell began camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and did not practice.
-Game officials worked today's practice.
Next open practice: Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
