The Tennessee Titans were back at it on Monday for their fourth open practice of training camp. However, this one was different from all the previous sessions.
That’s because the Titans were sporting pads, the first time they have done so in training camp. This is significant, of course, because coaches can better evaluate players with the pads on.
There was good news and bad news on the attendance front, as tight end Josh Whyle made his first appearance of camp, but defensive lineman Teair Tart wasn’t present.
It isn’t clear what the cause of Tart’s absence was.
It was a good day for both young quarterbacks, Malik Willis and Will Levis, but it was Levis in particular who really shined, especially during the red-zone portion of practice.
The Kentucky product recently stated he’s feeling more comfortable out there, and he continues to look the part.
Now, a look at all that and more as we go through the biggest takeaways from Monday based on the observations of beat writers on the ground.
You think the defense is excited about the first day of pads? pic.twitter.com/6sqCb2LgHf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 31, 2023
Attendance
Via Jim Wyatt, Titans Online: “Defensive lineman Teair Tart and linebacker Luke Gifford did not practice on Monday.”
#Titans TE Josh Whyle was in stretch and now participating in drills 👍
— Kayla Anderson ✨ (@KaylaAndersonTV) July 31, 2023
AJ Moore was being tended to by trainers., looked to be hate/cramp related
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) July 31, 2023
Will Levis shines
#Titans worked the red zone today. Will Levis and Malik Willis alternated snaps at times but Levis was still primarily third. Showed off quick release in tighter space and had good day.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 31, 2023
By far Will Levis’ best day at #Titans camp: counted 5 TD passes in 7v7 and 11v11 red zone work
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
#Titans Will Levis has had a solid day. Just drilled a pass to Reggie Roberson across the middle for the TD. That ball needed a little something on it to make it through traffic.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Will Levis for 7v7 at #Titans camp:
– Complete to Justin Rigg for the TD
– Complete to Harrison for the TD
– Complete to Roberson in tight window for the TD
– Complete on short out to Odukoya— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Will Levis has thrown a whoooole lot of TD passes today.
He looks like he needs to graduate from facing the 3rd team defense. Wanting to see him throw against some stiffer competition.
That said, this has easily been his best day of camp thus far. Can’t think of a single bad…
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) July 31, 2023
Will Levis with some good ball placement at #Titans training camp. pic.twitter.com/P9Xpjxg6mN
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Mike Vrabel on Will Levis' solid day of practice today. #Titans pic.twitter.com/rf9KLcTtyb
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Good day for Malik Willis, also
ESPN’s Turron Davenport: “Willis made a nice throw on an out-breaking route. Alize Mack couldn’t come up with it.”
Good placement on a TD pass from Malik Willis to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Put it only where he could get it. Drove the ball on an out-breaking rte.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
#Titans Malik Willis 7v7’s approaching red zone
– late throw short to Harrison
– late throw to Racey, caught out of bounds towards end zone
– short complete to Racey
– throw to Ward complete near goal line— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Malik scrambles for TD run on next snap
3 plays, 3 TDs
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Dr. Gibby, Monty Rice rotating with the one's
#Titans ILBs Jack Gibbons and Monty Rice are rotating with the first team. Mike Vrabel pointed to Gibbons' length while Rice brings speed and quickness. pic.twitter.com/o1rGNR9xqw
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Treylon Burks with Play of the Day
Highlight catch of day: Burks goes high in air, plucks Tannehill pass and brings it down with one hand near sideline. Touchdown.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) July 31, 2023
Punt returners
Five #Titans WRs working on punt returns today.
Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Kearis Jackson, and Gavin Holmes.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) July 31, 2023
Offense vs. Defense notes
It's going to be fun watching the #Titans DLine this yr. Denico Autry just got a nice pass rush vs Peter Skoronski. Arden Key rushed Corey Levin, showed quickness from inside. Jeffrey Simmons used a bull rush on Daniel Brunskill.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Correction. It was intended for DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins also came up with a TD in back of the end zone from Tannehill. https://t.co/8p75UtXUJr
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
#Titans open up team period w/Dr. Dre Still Dre playing. Good protection by OLine. Aaron Brewer did a good job picking up Arden Key. But the secondary had solid coverage to force an incomplete pass from Tannehill to Hopkins. Kristian Fulton was in coverage.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Team drills now for Titans. Landry bullrush backs Dillard straight toward QB.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) July 31, 2023
#Titans INT tracker:
Ryan Tannehill – Sean Murphy-Bunting on pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins. Looked like they weren't on same page.
Malik Willis – Rashad Weaver dropped to zone, caught pass intended for Alize Mack across the middle.
Will Levis – Tyreque Jones on overthrow.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Kicker update
Via Jim Wyatt, Titans Online: “Kicker Caleb Shudak was 7-of-8 in today’s practice, and he’s now 18-of-20 in camp. Shudak was good from 42, 34, 46, 33, 52, 33 and 54 yards, with a miss from 38 yards. Kicker Trey Wolff, who did not kick in the team portion of practice, is 19-of-20 in camp.”
Extra work for DHop with QBs
DeAndre Hopkins getting extra red zone routes after practice with all #Titans QBs: Tannehill, Willis, Levis. Mason Kinsey getting extra work too
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Caleb Farley sighting (but not at practice)
Via Wyatt: Cornerback Caleb Farley, who is on [the PUP list], stepped out a side door at the end of practice. It was the first time I’d seen him during camp.
Player, coach comments
Mike Vrabel on the competition between Malik Willis and Will Levis pic.twitter.com/BvnLzobr0U
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) July 31, 2023
Treylon Burks talking about an impressive catch and his excitement level after #Titans practice. pic.twitter.com/wr4Lu8kco9
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Some comments from Josh Whyle pic.twitter.com/efSPQz4WEW
— Steven Boero (@SjBoeroSports) July 31, 2023
#Titans RB Tyjae Spears on his first practice with pads and his development as a route-runner: pic.twitter.com/XUAlhs4g4k
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
#Titans CB Roger McCreary on moving inside to play nickel and how he's handling the assignment. pic.twitter.com/e6dbexSdaD
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
#Titans Aaron Brewer called Jeffery Simmons one of the best DL in the league. Taking the iron sharpens iron approach. Feels the DLine brings a little of everything the OLine will see this season. pic.twitter.com/KFKaW4Q2N1
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Mike Vrabel on #Titans DLine and how that helps the OLine get better. pic.twitter.com/yQNNHxkfOI
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
#Titans LB Azeez Al-Shaair said he's embracing calling the plays on defense. It was something he did w/the 49ers during practice when he worked with the second group and at times on game day when Fred Warner went down.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
#Titans Nick Westbrook-Ikhine said having a player of DeAndre Hopkins' caliber forces you to elevate your game. pic.twitter.com/dHK6zxtVDi
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Arden Key’s daily “how many sacks?” update 😂 #Titans
Camp Count: 13 pic.twitter.com/PHpvl1RAaJ
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
#Titans QB Will Levis says he can usually tell during warmups when the ball is coming out of his hand better and he’s going to have a “good day.”
Ironically, he tells me that today did not feel like one of those days. He had a really strong day of training camp anyways.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) July 31, 2023
#Titans offseason award winner Jayden Peevy has lost some weight and gained some confidence! pic.twitter.com/VwIlRaiNmZ
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Next practice: Tuesday, Aug. 1 (9:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CT)
