NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans (2-1) conclude the preseason this week with a trip to Miami to face the Dolphins (2-1). Kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium (capacity 65,326) is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Sept. 1.
The Dolphins are the third preseason opponent the Titans will face again in the regular season, along with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. The Titans and Dolphins will battle again in Miami on Oct. 9.
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THE BROADCAST**
The game will be televised regionally on the Titans Preseason TV Network, including flagship WKRN-News 2 in Nashville. Play-by-play announcer Dan Hellie and analyst Charles Davis will call the action, and Kara Hammer will report from the sidelines.
The Titans Radio Network, including Nashville flagship 104.5 The Zone, will carry the game across the Mid-South with the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, analyst Frank Wycheck, gameday host Rhett Bryan and sideline reporter Jonathan Hutton.
FINAL AUDITIONS FOR 53-MAN ROSTER
The Titans will be permitted to carry 75 players into Thursday's game following the first round of roster cuts no later than Aug. 30. Then, at 3 p.m. CDT on Sept. 3, all clubs must reach the regular-season limit of 53 players. Players placed on reserve lists such as Injured Reserve, Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve/Suspended do not count towards the 53-man active roster limit. After the final cutdown, a 10-player practice squad may be established as early as 11 a.m. CDT on Sept. 4. One week later, on Sept. 11, the Titans kick off their regular season schedule at Nissan Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings.
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LAST WEEK AT OAKLAND**
The Titans have a short week to prepare for the Dolphins after returning from the West Coast for their third preseason game. They traveled for a Saturday night showdown with the Oakland Raiders and prevailed by a final score of 27-14.
Second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota, as well as most other Titans starters, played the entire first half. Mariota led the Titans to scores on every possession in the first half—two touchdowns and two field goals—excluding a kneel-down at the end of the half. He completed nine of his 16 pass attempts for 170 yards, and he added 20 rushing yards. Through the first three weeks of the preseason, his passing totals include 31 attempts, 23 completions, 319 yards, one touchdown and one interception, amounting to a passer rating of 104.1.
Tennessee's running back tandem of veteran DeMarco Murray (eight carries for 40 yards) and rookie Derrick Henry (12 carries for 49 yards) was on display once again at Oakland, combining for 89 rushing yards. Each player scored his second preseason touchdown. Henry's 154 total preseason rushing yards on 27 carries lead the team and rank third in the NFL, and Murray is only one yard behind him with 153 yards on 19 attempts.
Defensively, the Titans forced three turnovers at Oakland. Cornerbacks Kalan Reed and Cody Riggs notched interceptions, while linebackers Sean Spence and David Bass combined for one of the Titans' biggest plays of the preseason. Spence forced a fumble in the third quarter, and Bass recovered the ball and raced 47 yards for a touchdown.
NEW-LOOK TEAM AND STADIUM IN MIAMI
The preseason finale will hold special significance for the Dolphins and South Florida. The Dolphins are rechristening Hard Rock Stadium against the Titans after significant offseason renovations to the venue, which originally opened in 1987. The new features include an open air canopy covering most of the seats and new video boards, among other upgrades. The Dolphins were the visitors in the first two weeks of the preseason, and last week they hosted and defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Orlando.
Miami is in its first season with Adam Gase as head coach. He was hired after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears in 2015 and the previous six years with the Denver Broncos. Gase's staff includes three former Titans assistant coaches: linebackers coach Matt Burke, wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson and senior defensive assistant/pass rush specialist Jim Washburn.
Last week in Orlando, the Dolphins improved to 2-1 this preseason with a 17-6 win over the Falcons. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill passed for 155 yards, and running back Arian Foster rushed for a touchdown in the win.
