The Tennessee Titans hit the practice field for their sixth padded session of training camp on Tuesday — and with that practice, they are one step closer to their preseason opener on Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
The Titans had their longest list of absences of any training camp practice, a list that was headed by wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. While we can’t say exactly why Hopkins was absent, it doesn’t appear to be injury-related.
On the flip side, the Titans saw the return of offensive lineman Corey Levin, who had missed multiple practices in a row of late. Levin’s return is a welcomed sight, as he’s an important depth piece for this team.
In other news, guys like linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and wideout Reggie Roberson continued what has been an impressive summer for them. We also have several notes on how the quarterbacks fared.
Now, the biggest takeaways based on what beat writers on the ground saw.
Attendance
Check that. No Alize Mack. https://t.co/XjItV4QpdA
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
Jim Wyatt, Titans Online: “DeAndre Hopkins, who had a big day on Monday, got the day off on Tuesday.”
Wyatt: “In addition to Hopkins, defensive lineman Teair Tart, defensive back Chris Jackson, defensive back A.J. Moore, offensive lineman John Ojukwu, defensive lineman Naquan Jones, and tight end Alize Mack did not practice on Tuesday.”
Azeez Al-Shaair continues to shine
Wyatt: “I oftentimes lead with the highlights on offense, but this spot is going to the defense today, and one player in particular – linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Once again, Al-Shaair was around the football all day. The former 49ers backer intercepted quarterback Ryan Tannehill early, and he nearly got him again later when he was gunning for receiver Kyle Philips. Al-Shaair has been turning in a lot of good days in camp, and afterward he drew some praise from head coach Mike Vrabel.”
Strong day for Trey Wolff
Wyatt: “In addition to the two makes at the end of the two-minute drives, Wolff also made 8-of-9 kicks in a special teams period, making kicks from 33, 35, 48, 44, 51, 33, 41 and 33, with a miss from 40. Wolff finished the day 10-of-11, and I now have him at 42-of-47 in camp. Kicker Caleb Shudak did not kick on Tuesday, and I have him at 36-of-40 in camp.”
Roberson, Harrison continue to outduel McMath, Dowell
On the flip side – Tre’Shaun Harrison and Reggie Roberson Jr. continue to ball. #Titans https://t.co/kyOIjkPCXS
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) August 8, 2023
Reggie Roberson with the offensive highlight of the day with a leaping catch of a Malik Willis pass along the sideline to set up a field goal for the second team offense in 2:00 drill. #Titans
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) August 8, 2023
Wyatt: “I mentioned Roberson making a big catch in the two-minute period, and he’s been showing up more and more of late.”
Will Levis takes his turn and drives the offense into position for Trey Wolff to make a 47 yd FG. Levis had completions to Tre'Shaun Harrison, Gavin Holmes and Kevin Rader. https://t.co/lDVytekQch
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
Malik Willis made a perfect throw to Colton Dowell on a dig route. Hit him in stride but Dowell dropped it. Dowell bounced back a few plays later and made a nice catch along the sideline on a throw Will Levis.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
Malik Willis moved right, out of trouble saw Racey McMath cutting same way mid-range. Threw very good ball to him toward sideline. McMath got one hand on it. Drop. Didn’t raise second hand. No extensive reach. No dive. Weak. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 8, 2023
Punt returners
Wyatt: “Kearis Jackson, Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey, Gavin Holmes and Eric Garror all fielded punts in a special teams period.”
Dillon Radunz sighting
Wyatt: “I saw offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, who remains on PUP, working on a side field with a trainer.”
Quarterback nuggets
Wyatt: “Tannehill had some good moments, including a strike to receiver Treylon Burks on the first play of the up-tempo period and a bomb to Burks in 7-on-7s. Tannehill also went 6-for-6 in a 7-on-7 period. But his two-minute drive ended with the pick, as he tried to squeeze the ball into a tight window. Tannehill finished the day 13-of-17 with the two INTs in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined, and I now have him at 82-of-129 with three interceptions in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in the nine open practices of camp.”
Wyatt: “Quarterback Malik Willis did a really nice job in a two-minute period at the end of practice. All three QBs were presented with this scenario: 1:10 left, ball at own 25, need a FG, one time out. Willis moved up in the pocket to complete a pass to Mason Kinsey on the first play before connecting with receiver Colton Dowell and tight end Josh Whyle. Then came a strike downfield to receiver Reggie Roberson Jr., roughly 25 yards downfield. After Willis spiked the ball, kicker Trey Wolff came on the field and made his 33-yard field goal. Mission accomplished for Willis and the No.2 offense. I had Willis 8-of-15 for the day, and I now have him at 56-of-99 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined.”
Wyatt: “Quarterback Will Levis did his job effectively in the two-minute period as well. Levis came out firing, connecting with receiver Tre’Shaun Harrison on a bullet across the middle to set the drive in motion. Then came a sideline completion to receiver Gavin Holmes, before a strike to tight end Kevin Rader. Levis missed streaking Kearis Jackson downfield, but after a Julius Chestnut run, the Titans sent Wolff out for another kick, and he made it, barely, from 47 yards. Mission accomplished for Levis and the No.3 offense. I had Levis at 11-of-15 on the day, and I now have him at 58-of-95 in the 7-on-7 and team periods so far in camp.”
Practice videos
Malik Willis and Will Levis footwork. #Titans pic.twitter.com/uNzfuMgXsb
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 8, 2023
#Titans OLine slip n slide. pic.twitter.com/qazYzFGVtS
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
Harold Landry. #Titans pic.twitter.com/stDd4yjpNe
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 8, 2023
A look at Denico Autry and Rashad Weaver. #Titans pic.twitter.com/lK3Jx2e5Vp
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
#Titans Chig Okonkwo, Derrick Henry pic.twitter.com/SXU6OW5tMY
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
Azeez Al-Shaair and Jack Gibbens. #Titans pic.twitter.com/61AKaiPxOm
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 8, 2023
.@CoreyLevin62 back in action on Tuesday morning at #Titans camp. pic.twitter.com/Vj0u6DMSSs
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
Derrick Henry came out of this clean. Hassan Haskins did not. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/C11GJbp7GE
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 8, 2023
#Titans d-linemen at work on Tuesday morning. pic.twitter.com/Cudeja6i7a
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
Terrell Williams will serve as head coach of the #Titans on Saturday vs the @ChicagoBears.
Here’s a clip of Williams, the team’s Assistant Head Coach/Defensive line coach, in Tuesday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/LmfON9YuS4
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
Acrobatic INT @amanihooker37
Presented by @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/cgfYV4Dmc1
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 8, 2023
Moving the chains ⛓️ pic.twitter.com/eSkVRy4xWo
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 8, 2023
Post-practice comments
.@GrindSimmons94 is fired up about DL coach Terrell Williams serving as HC on Saturday vs the @ChicagoBears.
Said he’s getting a Gatorade bath after the game. pic.twitter.com/K12wMoUlRS
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
#Titans RB @KingHenry_2 said guys on the o-line are working great collectively, getting better
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
Kristian Fulton says this is the best he's felt in his career. Said it's showing in how he's been out there every day of camp. #Titans pic.twitter.com/VW6tsqkcMW
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
Kristian Fulton on covering DeAndre Hopkins. #Titans pic.twitter.com/IscaSRelRg
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 8, 2023
Fulton asked who on the #Titans defense has stood out to him so far. Mentions Azeez Al-Shaair.
Then says …
“The whole front seven, they been going crazy all (training) camp.”
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 8, 2023
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel on linebacker @A_train2_. pic.twitter.com/smEHo3gjoh
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel pointed out some of the ways Malik Willis has improved his QB play in the pocket. pic.twitter.com/kTA0onOgQa
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 8, 2023
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel said @will_levis has been making more good throws, likes his command of the huddle. Said he's seen him move WRs into splits they need to be in. Said he's made tight window throws, and is using him arm talent. Still room for improvement, but getting better
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
#Titans receiver Reggie Roberson @TheKingReggie after Tuesday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/bEGPaEOHaa
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 8, 2023
Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) shares who he modelled his game after
📺: Inside Training Camp Live on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/Wwy40idOR1
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 8, 2023
Next open practice: Thursday, Aug. 10 (9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CT)
