The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field on Tuesday for their first open session since preseason Week 2, but this one came with a twist.
The Titans, who were originally scheduled to take part in joint practices with the New England Patriots this week before the team canceled them due to an injury to cornerback Isaiah Bolden, held a blue vs. white scrimmage instead.
With quarterback Will Levis still sidelined, it was veteran Ryan Tannehill at the helm of the white team, and second-year signal-caller Malik Willis was quarterbacking the blue team.
After practice, head coach Mike Vrabel gave a positive review of the session, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com.
“At one point in time, however I was keeping score, (it was) 36-33, and I thought we had good plays on both sides,” Vrabel said. “I thought it very competitive, back and forth, good energy.”
Now, the biggest takeaways from Tuesday.
Non-participants and those who returned
Jim Wyatt: “Running back Hassan Haskins, running back Jonathan Ward, linebacker Monty Rice, defensive lineman Kyle Peko did not practice on Tuesday. Kearis Jackson was spotted at practice, but he did not participate.”
#Titans Will Levis is not participating in practice today. He's with the team during team stretch but not in uniform..
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
Wyatt: “In addition to (Colton) Dowell, defensive back Elijah Molden and defensive lineman Naquan Jones were back at practice on Tuesday.
Chig exits early
Looks like he went inside. Don’t see him out here for current team drill https://t.co/3d8OI7PZ39
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 22, 2023
Tough first day but strong finish for Michael Badgley
#Titans K Michael Badgley facing no rush:
29 good
33 no good WR
40 good
43 no good WR
47 good
33 good
48 no good WR
38 good
33 good
33 good— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 22, 2023
Michael Badgley ends practice with a 49-yard FG. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 22, 2023
Nuggets on Tannehill, Willis
Wyatt: “Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed several long touchdown passes in the scrimmage, and he was 13-of-18 on the day. Tannehill is now 119-of-183 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in practices, not counting the work against the Vikings.”
Wyatt: “Titans quarterback Malik Willis started out hot, completing his first three passes in a 7-on-7 period, including a bomb to rookie receiver Colton Dowell for a touchdown. Willis finished the day 12-of-18 in the 7-on-7 and team period combined, with an interception, and he’s now 85-of-146 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp.”
Ryan Tannehill hits DeAndre Hopkins for a deep touchdown off a trick play. White team celebrates.
Then Malik Willis finds Racey McMath, who comes down with a jump ball in the endzone for a deep touchdown. Blue team celebrates. #Titans practice is buzzing.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) August 22, 2023
Malik Willis and blue team offense for #Titans 7v7:
– Complete to Moore for good gain.
– Complete to Dowell – DEEP TD.
– Complete to McMath for 1st down.— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Malik Willis and blue team offense back out for #Titans 7v7:
– Shyheim Carter PBU, Willis tried threading it to McMath.
– Swing pass to Kinsey.
– Shyheim Carter another PBU, this time deep on Dowell.— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Malik Willis two-minute drill in #Titans 11v11:
– Complete short to Spears
– Complete short to Moore
– Complete short to RaderTIMEOUT
– SACK by Arden Key
– Complete to Kinsey, tackled in boundsCLOCK RUNS OUT
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Malik Willis. 16 seconds. Ball at midfield.
– Throws into double coverage for Mason Kinsey. INTERCEPTED by Amani Hooker. #Titans
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins shines
DeAndre Hopkins popped off today during #Titans practice.
He and Ryan Tannehill continue to get better. At least three long completions in team period.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) August 22, 2023
The 50 yard TD pass Ryan Tannehill just threw to DeAndre Hopkins
👀👀👀😳😳😳 #Titans
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Wyatt: “Receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a really good, active practice. Hopkins caught a deep sideline pass early, and he was also on the receiving end of a deep ball from Tannehill that resulted in a touchdown… Hopkins had at least six catches on the day, including some pretty impressive grabs.”
Slingin' it
Presented by @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/ucYVhFdT6k
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 22, 2023
Amani Hooker with another pick
Wyatt: “Safety Amani Hooker intercepted Willis late on a deep ball. It was Hooker third interception since training camp began (counting his INT in Minnesota), and that’s tied with cornerback Roger McCreary for the most in camp.”
Shyheim Carter stands out
Shyheim Carter with two PBUs on that lady 7v7 period. One was a diving play on a Malik Willis pass to Racey McMath across the middle. The other was on a deep route from Willis to Colton Dowell. Carter went up and knocked it down.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
UDFA highlights
Wyatt: “Defensive back Eric Garror nearly intercepted Willis on a short four-play sequence that was won by the defense.”
Wyatt: “Cornerback Anthony Kendall had a nice PBU on a ball intended for Hopkins.”
Wyatt: “Defensive back Armani Marsh knocked the ball out of the hands of Hopkins in a team period with a heads-up play, but Hopkins was on the sideline and the ball went out of bounds.”
Practice videos
🔵 vs ⚪️ today pic.twitter.com/9rXPwkugPm
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 22, 2023
Catch of the day 🎣
Presented by @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/N2qiezBowA
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 22, 2023
A little open field tackle work for the #Titans. pic.twitter.com/x3ACzYiTpD
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
Eric Garror speed to the corner pic.twitter.com/AXiK3vv0Cj
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
#Titans White Team WRs: pic.twitter.com/GvqYycKnXZ
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Coach, player comments
Catching up with new #Titans K Michael Badgley, who is in his second stint with the team. pic.twitter.com/n3RQkHCvam
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
#Titans safety, leader Kevin Byard on the overnight tragedy at Caleb Farley’s North Carolina home pic.twitter.com/NuDEy7WL1r
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Will Levis on his injury that kept him from practice. #Titans pic.twitter.com/FoFsJxwNv2
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
Derrick Henry on joint practices last week and the scrimmage today helping him prepare for the season. pic.twitter.com/0dKCV7JjoH
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
Derrick Henry laughed when asked about Tyjae Spears’ hurdle on the TD run
“I can’t do nothing like that so good to have a change up” #Titans
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Henry giving some props to Julius Chestnut: pic.twitter.com/gJ9QNu0Msq
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 22, 2023
Derrick Henry said he and Caleb Farley were the last ones out of the locker room last night. He's praying for Farley but didn't comment extensively since the details aren't out.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
Arden Key confident that the white team won today’s scrimmage.
Adds that he would have drafted himself first overall if possible. #Titans pic.twitter.com/wvQo6qgC5J
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Harold Landry on playing in the 3rd preseason game. pic.twitter.com/ZYKfgJD6zV
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
#Titans' Landry: Says he doesn't really think of his knee at all. It's really no different (than before injury). Just focused on improving and looking toward putting forth his peak performance.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 22, 2023
Mike Vrabel on Caleb Farley and the tragedy that occurred at his home in North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/hwU09qjHBE
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 22, 2023
Mike Vrabel says the #Titans “lucked out” with TE Thomas Odukoya: pic.twitter.com/vXlMl1LCWQ
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Mike Vrabel on #Titans WR Mason Kinsey, who has a big opportunity this weekend with the injuries to the WR room. pic.twitter.com/NUy8YAgitb
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 22, 2023
Not a huge Michael Badgley endorsement from Mike Vrabel. #Titans pic.twitter.com/riSzVb3lLG
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 22, 2023
Next open practice: Wednesday, Aug. 23 (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
