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Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (2) runs against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ashtyn Davis (29) and defensive back Jack Jones, bottom, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.<\/p>\n
Jed Jacobsohn\/AP Photo\/Jed Jacobsohn<\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) celebrates with quarterback Cam Ward (1) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.<\/p>\n
Jed Jacobsohn\/AP Photo\/Jed Jacobsohn<\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward speaks at a news conference after a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.<\/p>\n
Jed Jacobsohn\/AP Photo\/Jed Jacobsohn<\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans kicker Joey Slye (6) celebrates after kicking a field goal with Joel Wilson (83) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.<\/p>\n
Kelley L. Cox\/AP Photo\/Kelley L. Cox<\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh speaks at a news conference after a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.<\/p>\n
Jed Jacobsohn\/AP Photo\/Jed Jacobsohn<\/p>\n
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) \u2014 Coach Robert Saleh believes he’s learned something very important about his Tennessee Titans even with plenty to work on after their first preseason game.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOne thing that we will take away is that I do think we have a team that won\u2019t back down,\u201d Saleh said Friday. “A tough-minded team and a team that\u2019s going to be ready to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Titans opened the preseason by beating Saleh’s old team San Francisco 19-13 with the new coach playing most of his starters while his old boss Kyle Shanahan went with mostly backups.<\/p>\n
Still, any win is a good win for a Tennessee franchise that is 6-28 combined over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n
Tennessee is working with a new offense from coordinator Brian Daboll and a new defense and coordinator Gus Bradley with Saleh calling plays during games.<\/p>\n
The Titans were at their best on the opening offensive drive. Cam Ward drove the Titans 95 yards over 11 plays, veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley made a nice play for more yards on an 18-yard catch-and-run and they converted all three third downs for a 7-0 lead. <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But Ward finished 5 of 12 for 57 yards, raising concerns about the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft as he adapts to another new coach and offense.<\/p>\n Saleh pointed to the plays Ward has made with the offense \u201cflawlessly\u201d in practice. The coach said more work is all Ward needs.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got to be able to have the confidence not only in himself but his teammates to execute, get your feet down, play with great technique and deliver the football just like he has,\u201d Saleh said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to continue to harp on all the technique, the fundamentals, we\u2019re going to continue to rep things at a high level.\u201d<\/p>\n Slye answers worries about his accuracy <\/p>\n Kicker Joey Slye struggled enough last week, including in a scrimmage at Nissan Stadium, that the Titans brought in some kickers for a workout Aug. 8. Slye did his best to erase concerns about his accuracy against the 49ers.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n