The Tennessee Titans took to the heat in Nashville for an open practice at Nissan Stadium and put on a show for those fans who braved the heat. The team looked poised and worked with energy, creating some early highlights during training camp in the process.
Here’s a look at nine things that caught our eye.
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Rookies impressing
Head coach Brian Callahan met with the media before practice and addressed a few topics, including his early impressions of the rookie class during training camp. While he applauded all of them, he spoke at length about second-round pick Femi Oladejo and the enthusiasm and physicality he brings to the defense. A raw, edge prospect coming out of the draft, Oladejo appears to be ahead of schedule in his development and is trending in a positive direction.
Wide-open battle for returns
Callahan also discussed some special teams and broke down how the return specialist position is up for grabs, with the competition being completely wide open. The Titans have a solid mix of players competing for that spot, and it should be one of the more entertaining position battles to keep an eye on. While they haven’t done much work in that area so far in camp, expect things to ramp up once pads go on.
Signs of an explosion
Before practice, Callahan discussed a desire for the offense to find a balance between efficiency and explosion, and Cam Ward delivered that on Saturday. In his first practice at Nissan Stadium, Ward put on a show, threading the needle with pinpoint accuracy and connecting on some deep balls. Yes, there is still work to be done, but this was a significant step forward for the offense.
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Brownlee is leading the charge
While discussing the cornerback competition, Callahan pointed to Jarvis Brownlee as a player who has taken a significant step forward during the offseason, and that was visible on Saturday. During one drill, the second-year cornerback helped coach some of the younger cornerbacks on the roster, demonstrating the leadership qualities that both he and Callahan have discussed during the opening days of camp.
Burks’ bad luck continues
Wide receiver Treylon Burks looked good during on-field workouts. Unfortunately, his nemesis, the injury bug, reared its ugly head again. Burks has been plagued by injuries since joining the Titans and suffered a significant setback on Saturday, fracturing his collarbone while laying out for a pass along the sideline. Initial reports indicate that Burks will miss the early part of the season due to the injury, but one has to wonder if this will be the end of his career with the Titans.
Ridley embracing leadership role
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley talks glowingly about the young guys in the Titans’ receivers room, and the young receivers are returning the favor. Over the course of the first practice and again on Saturday, young wide receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor have discussed the impact that Ridley has had on their development, as well as how he works on every facet of the game to assist them.
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Ridley has come into this season looking like a different player, appearing rejuvenated by the addition of Cam Ward and the young players around him.
James Williams is making plays
When the Titans selected James Williams in the seventh round of the 2024 draft, they knew there would be a learning curve for him as he transitioned from college safety to linebacker. Their patience with the young player appears to be paying off, as Williams looks comfortable next to Cody Barton and is earning increased first-team reps.
Yes, this is football in shorts, and the real impact will be seen when the Titans put on their pads, but so far, his stock is clearly pointing in the right direction.
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First 66, next 70?
New kicker Joey Slye chipped in on electrifying the crowd by connecting on a 66-yard field goal near the end of practice. A closer look at the video shows the kick would have been good from 70 yards. Slye has always been known for his strong leg, but his accuracy can sometimes be an issue. If he can correct that, he could add a different dimension to special teams and help the offense put more points on the board.
Health update
Once again, L’Jarius Sneed and Lloyd Cushenberry were on the sidelines during practice. The two veterans remain on the PUP list with a week-to-week designation and have an unknown timetable for a full return. Other than the devastating injury to Treylon Burks, no other injuries were noted after practice.
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The players will enjoy an off day on Sunday and return to the practice field on Monday morning, where they will welcome new receiver Ramel Keyton to the team.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans training camp: 9 takeaways from Day 4