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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Moraitis

Biggest takeaways from Titans’ last practice before preseason Week 1

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday for what was their last full session before the preseason opener on Saturday against the Chicago Bears.

The Titans will spend Friday traveling to Chicago ahead of their noon CT kickoff at Soldier Field on Saturday. Head coach Mike Vrabel revealed some starters will play, but didn’t say who, nor did he name a starting quarterback.

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However, I suspect Willis, who was named the No. 2 quarterback going into camp, to start, with Levis coming in afterwards. It remains to be seen if each will get a half or if they’ll alternate quarters. Don’t expect Ryan Tannehill to take the field, though.

After there was a bit of panic stemming from DeAndre Hopkins’ absence on Tuesday, the three-time first-team All-Pro was back on the practice field on Thursday, albeit a little later than everyone else.

In other news, Teair Tart was back, but five others were absent.

As has been the case all training camp long, the defense won the day, but a few offensive players who we haven’t heard much from managed to stand out.

Keep scrolling for all of those takeaways and many more based on what beat writers on the ground reported.

Attendance: DeAndre Hopkins returns

Syndication: The Tennessean

Jim Wyatt, Titans Online: “DeAndre Hopkins, who got the day off on Tuesday, was back at practice on Thursday, although he didn’t come out until later in the session.”

Wyatt: “Defensive lineman Teair Tart returned to practice.”

Wyatt: “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 Thursday.”

Kicker update

Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

NWI struggling with drops

Syndication: The Tennessean

Great heads-up play by DB Alonzo Davis

Syndication: The Tennessean

Bad day for offense, especially in red zone

Syndication: The Tennessean

Wyatt: “The defense picked off three passes in Thursday’s session, including safety Amani Hooker’s INT of quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the very first play of 7-on-7s. It was a sign of things to come. While the offense made its share of plays as well on a misty, rainy day, the defense came up with a lot of stops near the end zone to frustrate the offense.”

Some standout throws from Malik Willis

Syndication: The Tennessean

Will Levis rebounds

Denton Simmons-USA TODAY Sports

Amani Hooker "having a nice camp"

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

Wyatt: “I mentioned Hooker’s interception, which came on a Tannehill pass intended for Chris Moore. Defensive back Kristian Fulton got his hand on the football, knocking it into the air, and Hooker came down with it. It was a great defensive play from both players. Hooker posted interceptions in back-to-back practices to close out the week, and, as mentioned previously, he’s having a nice camp.”

McMath, Whyle, Spears sightings

Syndication: The Tennessean

Wyatt: “Receiver Racey McMath had a good day, coming down with a couple of tough catches across the middle.”

Wyatt: “I noticed Whyle more on Thursday than any other day during camp. Whyle caught two touchdown passes from Willis today.”

Wyatt: “Running back Tajae Spears showed some burst on a couple of runs, including a red zone carry that resulted in him finishing in the end zone.”

Dillon Radunz working on the side again

AP Photo/John Amis

Wyatt: “I saw offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, who remains on PUP, working on a side field with a trainer.”

Practice videos

Syndication: The Tennessean

Coach comments

Syndication: The Tennessean

Player comments

Syndication: The Tennessean

Next open practice: Monday, Aug. 14 (9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. CT)

Syndication: The Tennessean
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