The Tennessee Titans had their second and final joint practice of the week with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday afternoon ahead of the pair’s preseason Week 2 showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday night.
It was another strong day for the Titans’ defense, although defensive lineman Teair Tart did let his emotions get the best of him when he threw a punch at Vikings offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury, leading to Tart being ejected from practice.
He didn’t appear to be happy about it afterwards, with the Florida International product tweeting, “lame af.”
In other news, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that rookie signal-caller Will Levis exited practice early with an injury and his status is now uncertain for preseason Week 2.
All we know about the injury thus far is that it’s of the lower body variety, according to Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky.
With all that out of the way, let’s get to the rest of the biggest takeaways.
Absences
Add Monty Rice to the list of #Titans not out here. https://t.co/dFEIoQxfcW
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Will Levis among early exits
I didn't see it but according to @JaredStillman Elijah Molden went in after the team period. I haven't seen Molden in 1 min period now.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Mike Vrabel said Will Levis went in with trainers, missed chance at late reps. Status for game TBD. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 17, 2023
Only managed hockey report on Will Levis so far:
Injury is lower body. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 17, 2023
Titans' defense impressive again
Jim Wyatt, Titans Online: “Amani Hooker had two break-ups in the 1-on-1s, and Azeez Al-Shaair, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Mike Brown, Jack Gibbens, Anthony Kendall, Otis Reese IV all had breakups as well. Kevin Byard and Matthew Jackson had PBUs in the 2-on-2s.”
Wyatt: “Cornerback Roger McCreary had an interception in the 2-on-2s, his second INT in as many days.”
Titans DT Jeffery Simmons is at it again today in practice. Had some unprintable words for Justin Jefferson after a pass to the WR was broken up during a red-zone drill. Jefferson just caught a TD pass from Kirk Cousins, and went right back to the huddle chirping at Simmons.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 17, 2023
Kristian Fulton had a CRAZY one hand pick in corner of end zone. Cousins was looking for Josh Oliver Iow red zone 7v7. Chris Harris and the DBs went crazy.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
#Titans defense was sharp vs Vikings in low red zone 7v7.
-1st group allowed one TD Cousins to Trishton Jackson.
-Sean Murphy-Bunting drove on a Jalen Reagor slant for PBU.
-2ns group looked good too. Mike Brown with multiple PBUs.— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Teair Tart just swung on Garrett Bradbury after the play. Jeffery Simmons blew up the RB in the backfield. Bradbury wrestled Tart to the ground and he didn't like it.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Good job by Chance Campbell just now. Vikings tried a slant and swing route combo with that WR and RB. Campbell broke on the swing and shut it down. QB had to go elsewhere and it was an incompletion.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Lawd have mercy. Denico Autry just put a bull rush on Christian Darrisaw. Pushed him right back into Kirk Cousins for a sack.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Kristian Fulton again. Sticky coverage on Justin Jefferson the whole time. Kirk Cousins tried to fit one into Jefferson and Fulton stopped it. Really good day for Fulton so far. Jefferson has scored twice but it wasn't on Fulton.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Arden Key and Harold Landry just got to Kirk Cousins. Play had to be whistled dead.
Elijah Molden with the would be sack on the next play.
This just in…..thr #Titans defense is good.— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Minnesota’s own and #Titans safety Amani Hooker, has been making a lot of plays today! pic.twitter.com/0H3rImzql5
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
Tannehill outduels Cousins
QB Ryan Tannehill and QB Kirk Cousins after Titans /Vikings joint practice.
Both had efficient days.
Tannehill probably had the better day in red zone and 3rd down, while Cousins led his first unit to a game winning touchdown in the 2 minute situation. pic.twitter.com/ySajCF0Vu8— Dianna M. Russini (@DMRussini) August 17, 2023
Tyjae Spears stands out as a pass-catcher
I know it's only a random training camp joint practice, but man tyjae spears looks good. So many nice routes in 7 on 7s with the first team and some real nice grabs.
— Scott Fish (@ScottFish24) August 17, 2023
Kyle Philips getting more run
Paul Kuharsky: “Kyle Philips’ role seemed to expand with Burks not on the field.”
Kristian Fulton with the Play of the Day
Frame it 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/1GxzutOgjq
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 17, 2023
QB notes
Wyatt: “Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 17-of-26 in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined, doing his best work in a 2-minute drill late when he completed five straight passes, including a touchdown. Tannehill went 37-of-51 in the two days combined against the Vikings.”
Wyatt: “Quarterback Malik Willis went 6-of-12 in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined, and he was intercepted by Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth in the end zone at the end of his two-minute drive opportunity. Booth celebrated by throwing the ball in the direction of the Tennessee sideline, and no one liked that – including the refs, who threw a flag. Willis completed a bomb to receiver Chris Moore, but it was called back because of a mystery penalty. No one liked that either. Willis, after going 13-of-14 on Wednesday, was 19-of-26 in the two days combined.”
Wyatt: “Before exiting early, Levis was 3-of-5 in his work in team periods, including a touchdown toss to Holmes. I had Levis at 8-of-12 in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined over the two days combined.”
Josh Whyle bounces back
Wyatt: “I thought Whyle had a good two days. After a tough outing against the Bears, the tight end showed up in these practices. He made plays in 7-on-7 and team periods, and one of them was a touchdown toss from Tannehill on the first play of 7-on-7 today.”
Mike Brown shines
Wyatt: “Mike Brown had several PBUs on the day as well. I think this guy is playing his way onto the roster.”
Pass protection 'a little shaky'
Wyatt: “Pass protection was a little shaky in one team period, when it looked like Tannehill was pressured once, and Willis was pressured once, and sacked another time.”
Practice videos
An ABSOLUTE LASER from #Vikings Kirk Cousins to guess who…the best WR in the NFL! #skol pic.twitter.com/YTJU4bBJZu
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
#Titans Jeffrey Simmons with a big hit on Mattison.
Someone just shoved Justin Jefferson on the same play.
Things are getting chippy at TCO. #skol pic.twitter.com/qjbabiD7xu
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
#Titans Will Levis with a DOT to Gavin Holmes.
He’s looked impressive early. pic.twitter.com/2CksYw8xNG
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
Minnesota’s own and #Titans safety Amani Hooker, has been making a lot of plays today! pic.twitter.com/0H3rImzql5
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
An ABSOLUTE LASER from #Vikings Kirk Cousins to guess who…the best WR in the NFL! #skol pic.twitter.com/YTJU4bBJZu
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
Christian Darrisaw is a BULLY 😂 pic.twitter.com/Rb1fhe4afg
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) August 17, 2023
Tannehill ➡️ Hopkins
Presented by @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/HSMk8fkmkk
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 17, 2023
#Titans needed a TD with 4 seconds left in their situational drive.
Tannehill extended the play and made a very nice throw to Chig Okonkwo.
Vikings very close to getting a nice stop. pic.twitter.com/Wl6fBbS8SS
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 17, 2023
Summer of Stonehouse. 💣 pic.twitter.com/xSAOP3jut7
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 17, 2023
Player, coach comments
Mike Vrabel said Treylon Burks and the #Titans TE relieved the injury isn't a long term one. Burks is still in Minnesota with the team. pic.twitter.com/bCwJFBFSmR
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel on the joint practices vs @Vikings. pic.twitter.com/x1mHo6Twho
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 17, 2023
Kristian Fulton on facing top level WRs like Justin Jefferson. pic.twitter.com/OoDawhZ4WX
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Kristian Fulton on his pick. #Titans . pic.twitter.com/npeszBK02t
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 17, 2023
#Titans Shyheim Carter on playing multiple spots in the secondary and setting the standard on defense. pic.twitter.com/gA3ZWgqpo6
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 17, 2023
Sean Murphy-Bunting on the #Titans defense in Minnesota: pic.twitter.com/RtoJPAc3ad
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 17, 2023
#Titans d-lineman @GrindSimmons94 on the joint practices with the Vikings — and on DL Teair Tart getting kicked out of practice for throwing a punch. pic.twitter.com/7wNc611207
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 17, 2023
