The Tennessee Titans return to the practice field for their seventh training camp practice of the preseason at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 and Ascension St. Thomas Sports Park as the Titans officially mark being a week out from their first preseason game.
One week from today, the Titans will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a preseason Week 1 matchup. In the build-up to that session, the Titans will also visit with the Bucs for one joint practice on Aug. 7. The Titans still have practices today, Sunday and on Wednesday in Nashville before suiting up against Tampa Bay.
Titans quarterback Cam Ward has not looked particularly sharp since the team put on full pads at the start of the week, struggling with five interceptions in his last three practices. The Titans have made a habit out of challenging him with various blitz packages and exotic looks, as well as high-pressure third down and two-minute-drill situations to stress-test the rookie against the rigors of the league.
While Ward has proven he’s a work in progress, several other Titans have either thrived or held their own in bigger or increased roles, notably rookies like safety Kevin Winston Jr. Other standouts have included returning Titans starters like Jeffery Simmons and Peter Skoronski.
Saturday’s practice is the fourth in a span of five sessions over six days, the busiest period the Titans have on the calendar until the start of the season.
Follow below for live Tennessee Titans training camp updates.
Tennessee Titans training camp live updates todaySpecial teams coordinator John Fassel said kicker Joey Slye has been more consistent than Fassel thought he would be coming into the summer.Fassel goes through all of punter Johnny Hekker’s different kick types, including a knuckleball kick that sometimes forces returners to get away.Fassel said Xavier Restrepo has been working at kick returner, punt returner and gunner. Fassel notes how difficult it is to evaluate live special teams until preseason games.Rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. was “behind the 8 ball” to open camp after missing OTAs, but he is coming along, Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said.Wilson on Cam Ward: “We’re throwing the kitchen sink at him.”L’Jarius Sneed will be a starter when he returns from the PUP list, Wilson said.Cody Barton is “smarter than advertised,” Wilson said. Calls Barton a football junkie.James Williams has been good so far in camp, but Wilson wants to see how he works in game action and without Cody Barton next to him.Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz reiterates Brian Callahan’s declaration that Cam Ward does not make the same mistake twice. He was “crisper” today, Holz said.Holz on the offensive line: “They’ve been more physical on a day-to-day basis than they were 12 months ago.”More from Holz on Cam Ward: “He holds himself to a high standard, and he holds everybody else to a high standard.” Jokes that Ward’s heart rate never rises above 50.Red zone drive No. 1: The first red zone drive features three offensive line penalties (two holding penalties and an illegal procedure), a couple Van Jefferson completions and a couple short Calvin Ridley completions. Overall, a messy start to red zone.Red zone drive No. 2: The second one doesn’t go much better, as Cam Ward and Josh Whyle have a miscommunication on first down before a second-down sack. After a third-down checkdown, Joey Slye makes a 35-yard field goal on fourth down.Third-down specific period: Cam Ward throws on the money to Calvin Ridley for a potential touchdown, but Ridley drops it.
New kicker Joey Slye is not someone who has been brought up too much early in camp. Slye was a focus in between team periods today, going 4-for-7 with misses from 35, 41 and 54 yards while hitting from 35, 41 and 50 yards (twice).
Slye is the lone kicker on the roster, and the veteran is in line to replace Nick Folk this season.
First drive, third-down emphasis: The Titans are working through third-down specific plays and situations in the beginning of team on Saturday. Chig Okonkwo drops a Cam Ward pass on a crosser, but the Titans offense gets the first down on the next play via an offside penalty.Second drive, full team: Cam Ward completes to Chig Okonkwo for a short gain, then misses Tony Pollard on a play with good coverage. After a Jeffery Simmons run stop (and letting Ward know about it), the most emotionally-charged moment of camp happens. Calvin Ridley makes a catch for a first down and gets hit out of bounds by Jarvis Brownlee. Ridley is not happy and chucks the ball toward the defender. Ward and Simmons step in to keep the peace, but Ridley was arguing loudly after the hit.First drive: Cam Ward opens up with back-to-back incompletions targeting Calvin Ridley against Darrell Baker in coverage. After a short throw to Chig Okonkwo, Ward drops in a dime to Ridley on a 30-yard completion in front of Amani Hooker.Second drive: In between two Tyler Lockett completions, Ward fits in another good ball downfield for a 30+ yard gain with Bryce Oliver making the catch. Ward has been accurate so far in this period.
Cam Ward goes 4-for-10 in WR/DB 1-on-1s on Saturday. Some notable highlights:
Calvin Ridley makes a nice toe-drag catch along the sideline on a good throw from Ward.Chig Okonkwo beats Xavier Woods in the air to make a catch.Amani Hooker breaks up a pass targeted for Gunnar Helm.
Jeffery Simmons, Femi Oladejo run pass rush drills at Titans practice
Jeffery Simmons, Femi Oladejo run pass rush drills at Tennessee Titans practice
T’Vondre Sweat, termed day-to-day earlier this week by Brian Callahan, won’t practice on Saturday. Blake Hance and Chandler Brewer also won’t practice, the team says.
Calvin Ridley is practicing after the vet day on Friday.
Brian Callahan won’t speak to the media today, but offensive coordinator Nick Holz and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will speak after practice.
We’ll provide live updates as practice gets going at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
The Titans opened training camp on July 23. They have nine practices scheduled between the start of camp and the first preseason game on Aug. 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Titans will match up against the Bucs and the Atlanta Falcons for joint practices before preseason games and will end the preseason by hosting the Minnesota Vikings for a matchup on Aug. 22.
The open dates for fans at Titans practices throughout training camp can be found here.
The Titans will battle Tampa Bay in joint practices on Aug. 7 and in Atlanta on Aug. 12-13. Both joint practice sessions will be on the road.
The Titans play at Tampa Bay on Aug. 9 (6:30 p.m. CT), at Atlanta on Aug. 15 (6 p.m. CT) and against Minnesota on Aug. 22 (7 p.m. CT). The game against the Falcons will be broadcast on NFL Network and the Vikings game will be on CBS.
BetMGM gives the Titans +20,000 odds to win the Super Bowl, tied with the New York Giants for the longest odds in the league. The Titans have +800 odds to win the AFC South, with +425 to make the playoffs.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.