NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for their eighth open practice of training camp on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The Titans practiced in pads for the fifth session in a row.
-The Titans receivers and defensive backs worked in 1-on-1 drills in the red zone early, while the o-linemen and d-linemen worked on drills with a pass rush emphasis. The Titans spent the bulk of practice in unscripted "Move the Ball" periods, with all three quarterbacks getting work. The Titans also spent time in a pair of special teams periods, including a field goal period at the end of practice.
-Safety Quandre Diggs practiced with the team for the first time after signing with the team on Tuesday, and he showed up while being worked in. I did a separate story on Diggs: CLICK HERE.
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-Receiver Calvin Ridley was the star of the show on offense on Wednesday, as he made one big play after the next. Ridley made a spinning catch on the sideline, and he managed to get both feet inbounds. He made a similar play later in practice on the opposite sideline. Ridley's biggest play, however, came late when he raced past defenders and caught a bomb from quarterback Will Levis way downfield. I had Ridley with five catches on the day, and it was his biggest one-day production in camp.
-I mentioned on Sunday how Kyle Philips has been surging of late, and he was unguardable in the 1-on-1 period, as he consistently got open and made catches.
Check out the video below for proof:
-Will Levis finished the day 11-of-16 with one interception in the unscripted periods, with the biggest play his deep ball to Ridley. The ball was a bit underthrown, but Ridley adjusted well. Levis put the ball on the money on several other throws to Ridley. Levis even tucked the ball and ran for a big gain on another play. I now have Levis 94-of-135 with four interceptions in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp.
-It was safety Shyheim Carter who picked off Levis. Carter got physical in fighting for the football against Nick Westbrook-Ikhine across the middle.
-Quarterback Mason Rudolph continued his hot streak during what's been a very impressive training camp. Rudolph was 10-of-11 in the team periods, including a perfect 5-of-5 in the last unscripted period. I now have Rudolph at 74-of-87 with one INT in the 7-on-7 and team drills in camp, which is an 85 percent completion rate. Rudolph is 52-of-60 in the team periods, which is 86.7 percent. He's 21-of-22 over the past two practices in team periods.
-I've really been impressed with how rookie JC Latham handles himself. It's hard to believe he's just 21 years old. Latham puts in extra work, and he's professional in his approach. The kid doesn't back down from anything either. Here's something I noticed on Wednesday: Latham quickly jumping in to have the back of line mates Peter Skoronski and Lloyd Cushenberry, who got involved in a mini skirmish with Jeffery Simmons. Let me say this: Simmons isn't an easy guy to practice against. He talks trash, he pushes the edge, and he's not afraid to mix it up. Simmons took a swipe at Skoronski on Wednesday, and then one at Cushenberry. Latham quickly raced to the scene to confront Simmons, and he got in his face. Things were broken up pretty quickly, but it's very clear early on in camp Latham isn't going to be bullied – or let his teammates get bullied – by anyone.
-Tight end Josh Whyle made a hell of a spinning catch in 1-on-1s, and he had three catches in the team periods.
See for yourself on the spinning catch:
-And, check out this one-handed catch below by tight end Chig Okonkwo in 1-on-1s:
-Big T'Vondre Sweat was at it again, moving offensive linemen off the line of scrimmage in drills. Check out the clip below of Sweat in a rep during the OL-DL drills:
-Receiver Tyler Boyd had three catches in the unscripted periods on Wednesday, and he's been more active in recent practices.
-Tight end Thomas Odukoya ran right through cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally after making a short catch. As I've mentioned in here before, Odukoya is much improved.
-Running back Hassan Haskins broke a tackle and raced to the end zone to finish one of the unscripted drives, directed by Rudolph.
-Running back Julius Chestnut ripped off a nice touchdown run on a drive directed by Willis.
-I continue to be impressed with former University of Tennessee running back Jabari Small. He's a tough runner who has consistently made plays over the first few weeks of camp. I'm betting he gets some folks talking in these preseason games.
-Running back Tony Pollard busted loose for a scoring run himself. In checking my notes, I'm realizing even more it was a pretty good day for the backs.
-Quarterback Malik Willis completed 4-of-7 passes in the team periods, but he threw his second interception on camp. I now have Willis 52-of-77 in 7-on-7 and team work so far in camp, with the two picks.
-It was linebacker JoJo Domann who picked off Willis.
-Cornerback Tre Avery is always around the football. Yes, he's given up some plays. But he's also made plenty as well.
-Edge rusher Jaylen Harrell continues to flash. He was in the backfield for what looked to be a sack during one of the unscripted periods.
-Following the sudden retirement of guard Saahdiq Charles, the Titans are looking for players to emerge at the right guard spot. Dillon Radunz is now considered the favorite to win the job, but Coach Brian Callahan said veteran Daniel Brunskill could be a factor as well. Don't forget about Andrew Rupcich either, because he's been battling, and getting reps.
-Noticed inside backer Jack Gibbens with a nice play in run defense.
-Kicker Nick Folk made 4-of-5 field goals on Wednesday, with makes from 32, 39, 47 and 56 yards, and a miss from 42. I now have Folk 20-of-22 on field goals so far in camp. Kicker Brayden Narveson is 9-of-13 in camp.
-Receiver Treylon Burks landed hard after going up to make a one-handed catch, and he got up slowly. The play happened toward the end of practice, so Burks didn't return. But Burks walked it off and looked to be OK.
-Receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee), Chidobe Awuzie (calf), safety Jamal Adams (soreness), cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (rest), cornerback Anthony Kendall and receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison did not practice.
-Linebacker Cedric Gray, linebacker JoJo Domann and cornerback Caleb Farley left practice early.
-Linebacker Luke Gifford returned to practice.
-Linebacker Garret Wallow suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Sunday's practice and he's out for the season, Coach Brian Callahan said.
-Receiver Colton Dowell began camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and did not practice.
-Former Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard from the NFLPA attended today's practice.
-Former Falcons GM Thomas Demitroff attended today's practice.
-Sponsors from Wesley Mortgage, along with first responders, were among those who attended today's practice.
Next open practice: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
