On the Titans’ second drive of the preseason vs. Tampa Bay, quarterback Cam Ward dropped back in the pocket, patiently scanned the entire field and — still feeling no pressure — connected with Calvin Ridley for a 27-yard gain.

Impressive pass protection from a rebuilt offensive line has been the case more often than not through the Titans’ first two preseason contests.

The six players who’ve earned preseason starts — Dan Moore, Peter Skoronski, Corey Levin, Blake Hance, Andrew Rupcich and JC Latham — have allowed a combined zero sacks and two pressures.

Tennessee’s only two sacks surrendered were attributed to a pair of back-up rookies, running back Kalel Mullings and offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson.

The early pass-protection returns are encouraging for a team that has allowed a combined 116 sacks over the past two seasons, including 52 in 2024.

The fact that Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, has rarely been harassed is a positive sign as well.

But as tempting as it is to say the Titans have made concrete strides in pass protection, it’s probably wise to pause that line of commentary for a bit.

“The preseason I take with a grain of salt, as far as what that means for future performance and all that, but it’s been good,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said of the pass blocking.

“I think we’re improving. I don’t think it necessarily is an [indication], good or bad, on what our performance will be [in the regular season].”

The main reason for caution? The Titans have faced very few first-team defenders in the team’s first two preseason contests.

In the preseason opener against Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers list of scratches included Calijah Kancey (7.5 sacks last season), Vita Vea (seven sacks), Haason Reddick (11 sacks in 2023), Logan Hall (5.5 sacks last season) and Lavonte David (5.5 sacks).

In the Titans’ second preseason game, against Atlanta, the Falcons sat out Leonard Floyd (at least 8.5 sacks for the past five seasons) and Kaden Elliss (five sacks last year). Arnold Ebiketie (six sacks) played just 10 snaps.

“We’re a starting [line], and, no disrespect to any of those teams, but their starters weren’t out there,” Skoronski said. “So [good protection] should be the expectation.”

Another reason to pump the brakes on better pass protection?

The Titans’ numbers through two preseason games are actually very similar to what they were last year.

In the first two preseason contests of 2024, the Titans’ offense as a whole — not just first-team linemen — surrendered one sack and 18 pressures. Through two games this year, Tennessee has allowed two sacks and 16 pressures.

All those caveats duly noted, Titans Offensive Coordinator Nick Holz is willing to express guarded optimism that there are signs of better pocket protection.

It’s worth noting, too, that the Titans’ performances so far have come without two expected starters: center Lloyd Cushenberry and right guard Kevin Zeitler. Cushenberry is just now returning to action following last year’s Achilles injury, while Zeitler — a 13-year veteran — has been rested in the preseason.

“I think we are generally ahead of the curve assignment wise,” Holz said. “I think we are so much further [ahead] in communication, especially with having [Levin] and now getting [Cushenberry] back with really a year in [Callahan’s system], recognizing all these things, knowing all our answers.”

The Titans would love to see some of Minnesota’s first-team pass rushers in Friday’s preseason finale at Nissan Stadium, but Holz said it doesn’t sound as if that’s likely to happen.

So the real litmus test concerning better pass protection will occur in the Sept. 7 season opener at Denver.

That’s when the Titans’ offensive line will face a Broncos defense that piled up an NFL-high 63 sacks last year. Four Denver defenders totaled at least seven sacks in 2024 — Nik Bonitto (13.5), Jonathon Cooper (10.5), Zach Allen (8.5) and John Franklin-Myers (7.0).

Will Ward’s pocket continue to hold up?

“I think we’re ahead [of last year], but … time will tell,” Holz said. “We’re going to go up against some pretty good defenses here coming up, and those rushers are going to be kind of the real challenge. That’s where you really evaluate yourself.”