NASHVILLE – The Titans kick off the 2024 preseason on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium vs the San Francisco 49ers.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
Callahan Debut
Try telling Titans Coach Brian Callahan that Saturday's preseason game isn't important. It's Callahan's first chance to really gauge his team's progress, on a night when he'll walk out of the tunnel at Nissan Stadium as a head coach in the National Football League. Callahan will also be calling plays for the first time. Did I mention his father, Bill, will be on the sideline with him? Talk about a night to remember. "It's more excitement than butterflies," Callahan said. "Just to be able to take the field as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans for the first time in a game action and calling plays. We've got to iron out communication from our game management people upstairs, to the coaches on the field, to how the flow is going to work on both sides of the ball for me, jumping back and forth and calling the plays. It's going to be really good for me. I'm excited about that part. But, that's the beauty of the preseason, is we get to get three shots to iron it all out before it counts for real. So, yeah, I'm really excited. I can't wait."
Quarterbacks
All three quarterbacks are expected to play, including starter Will Levis. Callahan said he's planning on Levis playing one, possibly two, offensive series, depending on how things go. Then, back-up quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis will get a chance to play. As a rookie, Levis couldn't build any momentum in last year's preseason, as he reaggravated an injury in the preseason opener in Chicago, and then slid back to his role as the team's No.3 QB to start the regular season. Now, Levis is the team's unquestioned starter, and the Titans need him to get as comfortable as he can as the clock ticks toward the regular season opener on September 8, once again in Chicago.
Offensive Line
So far, there have been a lot of moving parts here. Saahdiq Charles was in at right guard, and now he's out (he retired this week). Nicholas Petit-Frere was out at right tackle, and now he's back in (taken off PUP). Dillon Radunz, meanwhile, has a chance to convince coaches he can be counted on at right guard while others try to unseat him. Two weeks into training camp, the Titans are looking to start building some cohesiveness, and offensive line coach Bill Callahan's unit will get their first test against the 49ers. On the left side, things have been set since the start of camp, with left tackle JC Latham, left guard Peter Skoronski and center Lloyd Cushenberry working alongside one another every day. The Titans will use a lot of combinations here as the game goes on, and in the preseason, roster spots, and starting spots, are up for grabs.
Titans Targets
DeAndre Hopkins won't play in this one, but Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and the team's other receivers are expected to play, some more than others. And, keep an eye on the team's tight ends, Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle, who have been a big part of practices during training camp. Levis and the quarterbacks need to be on the same page with the receivers heading into the season, and that's one of the reasons Callahan wants his starters to play. But the preseason is critical for players looking to move up in the pecking order, or earn roster spots. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips and Mason Kinsey are among those who've shined in camp. Jha'Quan Jackson has made plays as well. Can they keep the momentum going?
Dennard Wilson's Defense
It's been fun to watch new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's unit attack during camp. On Saturday night, Titans fans will get to see for themselves. But, how much will Wilson and the Titans want to give away? The Titans won't be full strength here, as defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and edge Harold Landry won't play, per Callahan. Chidobe Awuzie won't play either as he recovers from his calf injury, and I don't expect to see Jamal Adams, L'Jarius Sneed or Quandre Diggs either. But other first-, second- and third-teamers will get their opportunities. Keep an eye on No.93, T'Vondre Sweat. You can't miss him.
Kickoffs
The NFL's new kickoff rule is going to take some getting used to. On Saturday night, Titans fans will get their first look at the new play since the league completely changed its kickoffs. In adopting the approach from the XFL, the new hybrid format will keep kickoffs at the 35-yard line. But, outside of the kicker, the remaining 10 players on the kicking unit will line up at the opposing team's 40-yard line. The receiving team must have at least seven players in the "setup zone," a 5-yard area between the receiving team's own 35- and 30-yard lines. A maximum of two returners can line up in the landing zone from the goal line to the 20, and the ball must be returned if it lands there unless it bounces into the end zone and is downed. Some other rules: After the ball is kicked, the kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until the ball is touched, and the 10 kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or goes into the end zone. Got all that? Well, that's not the half of it. Titans football kicks off Saturday night.
